Mosquito Day: PECAN renews commitment to malaria– free Nigeria 

 

Mosquito Day: PECAN renews commitment to malaria– free Nigeria

 

The Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN) has expressed its renewed commitment to a malaria free Nigeria as it joined the global community in commemorating World Mosquito Day 2025.

 

 The  theme of the celebration is “Accelerating the Fight Against Mosquitoes for a Malaria-Free Nation.”

 

This is contained in a statement signed by the National Public relations officer, PECAN, PCO (Dr) Dennis Olabisi, and made available to newsmen on Friday in Lagos.

 

Speaking on the celebration, PECAN President, PCO Olakunle Williams, reiterated PECAN’s resolve to intensify collaboration with government, development partners, and communities in the war against mosquitoes, which he said  remained the single deadliest vector of malaria in Nigeria.

 

Williams noted that Malaria continued to claim thousands of lives every year in Nigeria in spit of being preventable and treatable.

 

 “As professional pest controllers, we stand at the frontline of protecting public health.

 

“This World Mosquito Day reminds us of the urgent need to accelerate interventions, deepen awareness, and support the Federal Government’s malaria elimination roadmap,” Williams said.

 

He said that PECAN has consistently advanced mosquito control and malaria prevention projects nationwide, often through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

 

He explained that in  partnership with stakeholders such as the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), Rotary International, and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), PECAN has delivered life-saving interventions to high-risk communities.

 

He listed the communities as the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Abuja, Itire/Ikate communities in Lagos and Kiri-Kiri communities in Lagos

 

He said that PECAN has targeted Makoko fishing community for its 2025 CSR outreach.

 

PECAN urges Nigerians to take proactive steps in the fight against mosquitoes and malaria through the adoption of the following preventive measures:

 

” Nigerians should eliminate stagnant water around homes and communities and adopt proper waste disposal and sanitation practices.

 

” Nigerians should make use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and make use of indoor residual spraying (IRS) with approved insecticides.

 

” Nigerians should seeking prompt medical treatment when symptoms occur.”

 

Williams appealed to government at all levels to increase investment in malaria control programmes, strengthen health infrastructure, and support professional pest management services.

 

“Nigeria cannot afford to remain the epicentre of malaria.

 

 “We call on the Federal, State, and Local Governments to prioritise mosquito control by funding integrated vector management programmes, supporting community-led initiatives, and empowering licensed pest control professionals.

 

“Only through sustained investment and political will can we accelerate the fight against mosquitoes and achieve a malaria-free nation,” Williams said.

 

Newsmen reports that World Mosquito Day is observed annually on August 20.

 

It honours the groundbreaking discovery made in 1897 by Sir Ronald Ross, who proved that female Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria between humans.

 

This scientific breakthrough laid the foundation for global malaria prevention efforts.