The United States government has donated over 2.2 million mosquito bed nets worth N1.7 billion ($5.5 million) to Kogi State government.
A statement from the US embassy in Abuja said the nets were handed over to the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for distribution to the 21 local government areas of the state.
The United States government also provided an additional $1.1 million for logistics, including transportation of the bed nets, community mobilization, and training, the statement said.
“These nets and support for the distribution are a gift from the American people to the people of Kogi State.”
USAID’s Director for Health, Population and Nutrition, Nancy Lowenthal, said that the U.S. government is supporting the Kogi’s efforts to protect the health of all, particularly the young and most vulnerable members of society.
“I believe that eliminating malaria in Kogi and throughout Nigeria as a whole is possible if we all work together,” she said.
Malaria is one of the leading killers of children and a leading cause of illness in Nigeria, particularly during the rainy season when the mosquito population increases.
Sleeping under an insecticide-treated bed net every night is the best way to prevent malaria.
Bed nets put a vital barrier between people and the mosquitoes that carry malaria, particularly during the hours from dusk to dawn.
Nightly use of insecticide-treated bed nets prevents infections, which in turn prevents the spread of malaria.
Credit: Daily Trust
