The Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, has pledged his ministry’s support for initiatives aimed at promoting public health and improving the well-being of residents.
Olatunbosun gave the assurance in Ado -Ekiti while receiving a delegation of federal and state partners implementing the 2026 Malaria Larval Source Management (LSM) intervention of the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), through the IMPACT Project.
The Commissioner said the ministry would collaborate with relevant agencies to provide platforms for experts to sensitise residents on the programme through radio, television, social media and other government communication channels.
He assured that critical government programmes, including the LSM intervention, would receive the necessary support to achieve their intended impact, noting that his ministry had previously partnered with the Ministry of Health on similar health initiatives and would sustain that collaboration.
Olatunbosun commended the team for its efforts toward strengthening malaria prevention and improving public health in the state.
Earlier, Dr Adedapo Adeogun, spokesperson for the Malaria Larval Source Management team, briefed the Commissioner and ministry officials on the commencement of the intervention in Ikere and Ilejemeje Local Government Areas — the two council areas with the highest malaria prevalence in the state.
He said training of personnel began on Monday, July 13, 2026, at the Ministry of Health and Human Services, with microplanning and mapping of the two LGAs commencing on July 15.
Adeogun said field activities, including identifying mosquito breeding sites and applying approved larvicides, would run from August through December 2026.
He explained that malaria control must go beyond measures targeting adult mosquitoes, such as insecticide-treated nets, to also address breeding sources directly.
He said the programme focuses on managing breeding sites — including stagnant water, blocked drains, and discarded containers, bottles and tyres — through environmental modification, such as improving drainage systems, proper waste disposal and upkeep of surroundings, as well as applying biological agents such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI) where breeding sites cannot easily be eliminated.
He said BTI is safe for humans, animals and crops when properly applied, adding that the pilot would include sensitising farmers and residents to address safety concerns and encourage community participation.
Adeogun and other team members appealed for the continued support of the Ministry of Information, stressing that effective communication is vital to the programme’s success.
They urged the use of radio, television, newspapers, social media and jingles to educate residents on mosquito breeding, environmental sanitation, and the need to support the intervention.
The LSM initiative is part of broader Federal Government efforts to strengthen malaria control and reduce the burden of mosquito-borne diseases across Nigeria