Business
ExxonMobil Commits N2.052bn To Fight Malaria
ExxonMobil says it is committing $5.7 million (N2.052billion) to support local and global organisations working to eliminate malaria around the world.
The Manager, Corporate Communications and External Relations of the company, Mr Oge Udeagha,said this in a statement issued in Lagos, yesterday.
According to him, this year’s grants, announced in conjunction with World Malaria Day, will continue the company’s nearly 20-years efforts to reducing the global burden of malaria.
“Malaria is a disease that still causes an estimated 435,000 deaths annually despite being preventable, treatable and curable.
“ExxonMobil’s malaria initiative has worked to advancing progress against malaria through partnerships focused on developing the next generation of global health leaders and building health system capacity.
“ This it does by supporting education and improving access to tools for malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
“We focus our attention on local and global organisations that deliver health services and supplies directly to affected communities,” said Kevin Murphy, President of the ExxonMobil Foundation.
According to him, while great progress continues to be made in saving lives from malaria around the world, important work remains to prevent the disease’s resurgence.
“ ExxonMobil works with partners in Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Nigeria and Papua New Guinea to identify and promote solutions to fight the disease.
“Activities and public events planned in those countries to commemorate World Malaria Day includes voluntary testing and counseling sessions, mosquito net distribution, community events and public awareness campaigns,”
He explained that since 2000, ExxonMobil has invested a total of 170 million dollars, supporting the delivery of 15 million bed nets to prevent mosquito bites.
Udeagha said the company had also supported the training of 700,000 health workers, noting that ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM).
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
