President Bola Tinubu has approved the release of N10bn as emergency funding to boost the nation’s effort towards preparedness against a possible Ebola outbreak, following renewed cases reported in parts of Africa.
Presidential Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. He also added that the intervention aims to strengthen national health security systems and enhance rapid response capacity.
As part of the response, Tinubu also approved the creation of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats.
In addition, he appointed Femi Gbajabiamila, the President’s Chief of Staff, to chair the task force, which will include representatives from relevant federal and state agencies.
It noted, “Intensification of passenger screening at all international airports, including enhanced temperature checks and crowd-control protocols,” will be enforced under the new directive.
Key agencies and measures
Meanwhile, key agencies involved in the implementation include the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, alongside state governments and other federal ministries.
In addition, the measures outlined include increased surveillance of travellers entering through high-risk routes, the establishment of isolation centres at the international airports in Lagos and Abuja, and the requirement for incoming passengers to use health reporting systems.
As part of preventive measures, he also directed that baggage areas, cargo zones, and airport facilities be regularly disinfected.
BACKSTORY…
Despite the absence of confirmed Ebola cases in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Interior has announced additional measures to strengthen the country’s preparedness against the virus.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced the development in a statement posted on his official website.
According to the statement, the minister attended a high-level preparedness meeting in Lagos with government officials and emergency response partners at the request of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
