By Ndudirim Sylvia Iloka
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to prevent a possible Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, unveiling a coordinated communication and diplomatic strategy while assuring citizens that no case of the disease has been recorded in the country.
This was the focus of the inaugural meeting of the Communication, Diplomacy and International Engagement Sub-committee of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease, held in Abuja on Thursday.
The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, serving as deputy chairman.
Representatives from key government agencies, professional bodies, development partners and health institutions attended the session, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), National Orientation Agency (NOA), World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
Addressing participants, Idris said the Presidential Task Force was established by President Bola Tinubu to coordinate the country’s preparedness against Ebola and other emerging health threats. He stressed that the move was a precautionary measure designed to strengthen national readiness and protect public health.
While reiterating that Nigeria remains free of Ebola, the minister noted that the NCDC had classified the risk of the virus entering the country as high due to regional migration and international travel. He disclosed that surveillance at airports and border entry points had been enhanced, health facilities placed on alert, and emergency preparedness measures expanded across the country.
He also assured Nigerians that all information released to the public would be based on scientific evidence and verified by health authorities to prevent panic and the spread of false information.
Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Enikanolaiye praised the Federal Government for taking preventive action before any confirmed case emerged, describing early preparedness as a critical element of effective crisis management.
The minister said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would support the national response through closer engagement with neighbouring countries, international organisations and Nigerian diplomatic missions abroad. According to him, stronger international cooperation will help facilitate information sharing and coordinated action against potential health threats.
He added that diplomatic efforts would complement domestic measures by protecting Nigeria’s international reputation and ensuring accurate information about the country’s public health situation reaches the global community.
Participants identified several priorities, including the development of a unified national risk communication strategy, coordinated public messaging among government agencies, production of standard public information materials, translation of health advisories into major Nigerian languages, and stronger collaboration with the media.
The committee also agreed to widen public awareness efforts by involving traditional rulers, religious leaders, transport unions, market groups, educational institutions, civil society organisations, women and youth groups, and community leaders.
At the end of the meeting, members pledged to work together to strengthen public awareness, improve information management and enhance the country’s readiness against Ebola and other health emergencies.
Nigerians were urged to remain calm, maintain good hygiene practices, report suspected symptoms to health authorities, and obtain information only from verified government sources.
