The Federal Government has reassured Nigerians that there is no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country, while inaugurating the Communication Sub-Committee of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats to strengthen public awareness and emergency response.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance in Abuja during the inaugural meeting of the sub-committee, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and rely only on verified information from official sources.
Idris said although there is no confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria, recent developments in other parts of Africa underscore the need for heightened preparedness, noting that infectious diseases know no borders.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Presidential Task Force, describing it as a proactive measure to protect public health through improved preparedness, coordination and timely response.
The minister stressed that effective communication would remain a frontline tool in managing public health emergencies, warning that misinformation and rumours could undermine public confidence and hinder response efforts.
He recalled that Nigeria’s successful containment of the Ebola outbreak in 2014 was achieved through strong leadership, coordinated action, effective disease surveillance and sustained public communication.
Idris disclosed that the National Orientation Agency (NOA) had already commenced nationwide sensitisation using approved health messages developed in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
“Our message to Nigerians remains clear: there is no confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria, there is no cause for panic, and government is fully prepared and vigilant,” he said.
The minister urged Nigerians to maintain good hygiene, promptly report suspected symptoms to health authorities and rely only on verified information issued by relevant government agencies.
The meeting was attended by key government officials and stakeholders, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, who serves as Deputy Chairman of the sub-committee; representatives of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the NCDC; Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu; President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Alhassan Yahya; and President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr Ike Neliaku, among others.
