Nigerian Govt sets up presidential task force against Ebola
Nigeria Forms Presidential Task Force to Prepare for Potential Ebola Outbreak
The Federal Government of Nigeria has established a Presidential Task Force aimed at preparing for the Ebola Virus Disease. The task force was inaugurated on Thursday by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, in Abuja.
The initiative seeks to implement early preventive measures to avert a potential outbreak and prevent a recurrence of the 2014 Ebola crisis. Gbajabiamila emphasized the importance of preemptive action, stating, “Right now, there’s no reported case, which is good news, and that’s why all hands have to be on deck to make sure the measures we are taking are preventive, not curative.”
He reiterated the government’s commitment to acting proactively, highlighting a desire to avoid the chaos experienced during the previous outbreak. “We don’t want to be in the situation we were last time, where we had a carrier in the country and we’re all running helter-skelter,” he remarked.
The task force has formed specialized teams dedicated to various aspects of the response, including disease tracking, border control management, and emergency coordination. Gbajabiamila noted that while earlier safety measures primarily focused on airports, this task force will emphasize monitoring land borders and informal travel routes, given the high volume of cross-migration.
Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Jide Idris, confirmed that health checkpoints at major entry points have been fortified. He explained that the new plan involves collaboration among multiple government ministries and state authorities to ensure effective protection against the virus.
