AFRO-POP FEMALE SINGER "OMAWUNMI" VISITS KENYA TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR MALARIA.

 Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

 Award winning Nigerian musician and Mortein DOOM brand ambassador Omawumi Megbele arrived in Kenya on Thursday April 18 for a two day tour to raise awareness to curb malaria.

As part of an educational and entertainment strategy to raise awareness on the collaborative use of insecticide treated nets and other preventive measures and treatments including use of consumer insecticide sprays, Omawumi’s visit is expected to set the stage for the celebration of the World Malaria Day to be marked on Wednesday this week.

KREST gathered that during her visit, Omawumi who recently released her new album ‘Lasso of truth’ visited the Kenyatta National Hospital Maternity wing among other public facilities to raise awareness against Africa’s number one killer disease Malaria.

Speaking when he confirmed Omawumi’s scheduled visit, Reckitt Benckiser Country Manager, Richard Pereira said the Nigerian songstress was in the country as part of the firm’s educative campaign strategy.

‘Through our flagship brand Mortein DOOM, we have been engaging in awareness initiatives in collaboration with the Ministry of Health among other stakeholders in the fight against malaria,’ Pereira said adding; ‘research proves that use of entertainment personalities helps to entrench messages more effectively thus the association with an African Music star such as Omawumi.’

During the visit, we’re told, Omawumi addressed various dignitaries during an event to kick off this year’s World Malaria Day celebrations by performing the Malaria Song at a breakfast conference at Laico Regency Hotel.

Since breaking into the limelight in 2007, Omawumi has risen through the Africa music industry ranks, raking in various coveted awards including; The Best R&B/Pop Artiste 2010 ( Nigeria Entertainment Awards New York and the Best Female Music Video ( Nigeria Entertainment Awards). Other awards under her name include the Outstanding Recording Artiste (Icon Awards), Best New Artiste (Women in Entertainment and Arts, Vivacity PR, London), project Alert Icon (In recognition of her commitment to advocating for Zero –Tolerance for all forms of Violence against Women and Young Girls) among others. She was also a winner of the highly coveted ‘Next rated’ award at The Headies.

In addition to her hit song  ‘If You Ask me’, Omawumi’s other works include: Wonder woman, Bottom Belle and singles such as Explain, Stay Alive and Enough is Enough – a song that highlights violence against women.

Apart from her successful music career, the 30 year old mother-of-one also shares a passion for women and women empowerment.

She has been involved in a number of causes including starring in V-monologues – a play that reflects on the negative issues affecting women in Nigeria. She has also been actively involved in advocating for zero tolerance for all forms of violence against women and young girls in partnership with Project Alert – in Nigeria