Odinaka Kingsley Obeta, a Nigerian Medical Laboratory Scientist, has been appointed as one of the Co-Chairs of the newly launched Youth Workstream of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria. This appointment was announced on Monday, Aug., during the 6th Southern Africa Youth Forum in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The Youth Workstream, also launched at the event, is an initiative by the RBM Partnership to End Malaria aimed at coordinating the global youth response to end malaria. By collaborating with partners, the initiative seeks to amplify the voices of young people, equipping them with the tools, resources, and platforms necessary to make a significant impact in the fight against malaria.

“By empowering youth, we are not only investing in the leaders of tomorrow but also ensuring that their innovative solutions and unique perspectives drive us closer to a world free of malaria. This workstream underscores our commitment to inclusivity and long-term impact, allowing diverse voices to shape and contribute to our malaria elimination strategies,” said Dr Michael Charles, CEO of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, during the side session titled “State of Innovative Financing for Malaria and NTDs Education in Africa”.

For nearly a decade, Mr Obeta has been at the forefront of advocacy initiatives promoting the engagement and participation of young people in the fight against malaria across Africa and the Commonwealth. In 2019, he launched the Block Malaria Africa Initiative, a non-governmental organisation that utilises behavioural change communication to combat malaria in several states across Nigeria.

Since 2021, he has served as the West Africa Lead of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) Youth Advisory Council, a role to which he was appointed by His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta, the then Chairperson of ALMA.

“I am honoured to be nominated and appointed as Co-Chair of the RBM Youth Workstream. Alongside my fellow Co-Chairs, I look forward to supporting and collaborating with youth-led initiatives and passionate young people across the world to drive innovative approaches towards ending malaria globally,” Mr Obeta said in an interview with Joey Off Air.

Mr Obeta will work alongside other Co-Chairs from malaria-endemic countries on the continent, including Petrider Paul, Youth Engagement Officer of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (Tanzania); Zeinaba Narabene Farka, Founder and President of the Young Sahelian Climate Network (Mali); and Rachel Ndaya Kalanda, a community activist in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and Global Fund Advocates Network speaker (Democratic Republic of Congo).

The launch of the Youth Workstream comes at a critical time when many high-burden countries face a perfect storm of challenges that threaten to disrupt essential life-saving malaria services. These challenges include severe financial shortfalls for malaria programmes linked to the ongoing global financial crisis, the impact of climate change, insecticide and drug resistance, and humanitarian crises that urgently need to be addressed to prevent a resurgence of malaria.

By involving young people in grassroots efforts, the RBM Partnership to End Malaria aims to harness their potential to educate peers, influence local policies, and lead initiatives that prevent and control malaria. The Youth Workstream will also provide training, resources, and opportunities to cultivate the next generation of malaria advocates.

Learn more about the RBM Partnership to End Malaria Youth Workstream