The Federal Government has reaffirmed that Nigeria remains free of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) while stepping up measures to prevent any possible outbreak through strengthened surveillance, public awareness and international collaboration.
The assurance was given at the inaugural meeting of the Communication, Diplomacy and International Engagement Sub-committee of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease, where government officials and development partners reviewed the country's preparedness strategy.
The meeting, held in Abuja, according to a statement by the Spokesperson
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, on Friday, 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.
Idris said the Presidential Task Force was established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and is headed by the Chief of Staff to the President to coordinate Nigeria's response to Ebola and other emerging public health threats.
He noted that although there is no confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has rated the risk of importation as high because of increased regional movement and international travel.
To mitigate the risk, he said surveillance at the country's borders and points of entry has been intensified, health facilities have been placed on alert, and preparedness measures have been strengthened nationwide.
The minister also assured Nigerians that all public information on Ebola would be based on scientific evidence and verified by the NCDC to prevent panic and the spread of false information.
Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Enikanolaiye described the establishment of the Presidential Task Force before any confirmed case of Ebola as a demonstration of the Federal Government's commitment to prevention rather than reaction.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would leverage Nigeria's diplomatic missions, regional partnerships and engagement with international organisations to support information sharing and coordinated responses to public health emergencies.
According to him, effective diplomacy is critical to strengthening Nigeria's preparedness, preserving the country's international reputation and ensuring accurate information on its public health status reaches the global community.
The meeting brought together representatives of the NCDC, National Orientation Agency, Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nigerian Guild of Editors, the World Health Organization and other stakeholders.
Participants agreed to develop a unified national risk communication strategy, strengthen coordination among government institutions, expand public awareness campaigns, translate health messages into major Nigerian languages and enhance efforts to detect and counter misinformation.
They also endorsed a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach that would engage community leaders, religious and traditional institutions, transport unions, schools, civil society organisations, women and youth groups, and the media in promoting Ebola awareness.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment to ensuring Nigeria remains prepared for any public health threat, while urging citizens to stay calm, maintain good hygiene, report suspected symptoms promptly and rely only on official sources for information.