Notable Nigerians and celebrities have united under the Malaria, Child and Maternal Mortality Eradication (MACMME) Campaign, a social awareness and relief project which seeks to raise a voice for the plight of the underprivileged Nigerian child and mother.
The MACMME campaign is an initiative founded by young creative entrepreneur, Nicolette Ndigwe, whose vision is to use film to draw attention to the plight of vulnerable children and mothers who suffer the highest mortalities from opportunistic and preventable diseases like malaria and diarrhea amongst others.
In justifying her vision, Ms Ndigwe noted that statistics show that each year in Nigeria, an average of 300,000 children are killed by Malaria, similarly responsible for 11% of all maternal deaths. Data from Unicef further indicates that each month, Nigeria loses about 2,300 under-five year old’s and 145 women of child-bearing age, making it the second largest contributor to under-five and maternal mortality rates in the world. About 75% of these deaths are linked to highly preventable causes such as basic health care, hygiene and sanitation practices.
These gruesome statistics are fueled by the poor social conditions and a lack of awareness in the general populace and a gap within the efforts of governments and society at large to combat the challenges that lead to deaths.
It is this gap that the Campaign by the Malaria, Child and Maternal Mortality Eradication (MACMME) Project seeks to fill through a short film titled ANAVE, directed by Ms Ndigwe, featuring Waje, Omawunmi, Shawn Faqua and Seun Ajayi, which tells the story of a young orphan child whose mother passed during his birth and subsequently exposes him to the elements and homelessness.
Pledging support for MACMME, the former Minister for Communication, Frank Nweke Jr, said that; “It is the young that replaces the old in the endless regenerative cycle of life….not protecting the young and vulnerable in our society distorts this natural cycle and puts our future in great jeopardy.” He enjoined every citizen to participate in raising the awareness required to help mitigate avoidable deaths.
As the project kicks off, several celebrities, including; Omawunmi, Ali Nuhu, Ik Osakioduwa, Michelle Dede, Williams Uchemba, Michelle Bello, Shaffy Bello, Shawn Faqua, DJ Sose, Lolu Shomuyiwa, and many more have brought their desire and passion for a new Nigeria to the campaign with the hope of alleviating the plight of the children and vulnerable members of our society and redefining Nigeria’s image.
The first phase of the #MACMME Campaign is focused on awareness but its overall strategic focus takes cognizance of fiive United Nations sustainable development goals as reflected in the film, ANAVE in which the Principal character is affected by a combination of factors including, homelessness, hunger, malnutrition, malaria and lack of access to healthcare.
To achieve these objectives, the project aims to direct and streamline funds/support from aid organisations and individuals into establishing schemes specifically tailored to the social and health realities of the nation..
On a government level, the campaign pushes for more collaboration with international organisations while encouraging them and governments to adopt a strategic approach to education and access to more resources. Enjoining governments and statesmen alike, to work towards a common goal – to better lives, one individual at a time.
A combination of other objectives such as a drive to increase health literacy and health communication all form a holistic campaign that is poised to achieve great results for Nigeria and Africa at large.
The film ANAVE was sponsored by Sterling Bank and the Universal Music Group.
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