President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate release of N10 billion as emergency intervention funding and constituted a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness following fresh outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The President’s approval came after a stakeholder meeting convened by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday at the State House, Abuja, under the directive of President Tinubu.
In a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the emergency fund will strengthen the operational preparedness of the National Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, and support critical response activities.
“The fund will strengthen the operational preparedness of the National Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, and support critical response activities,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the Presidential Task Force will be chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President and will include: the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Minister of Interior, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, and the National Security Adviser.
Other members include: the Director-General of the NCDC, representatives of the World Health Organisation, and other key development partners.
President Tinubu directed the Task Force to coordinate surveillance, screening, and infection prevention measures at Nigeria’s international airports, land borders, and seaports.
The directive also covers the immediate activation of referral isolation centres and rapid response teams across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Ebola has recently resurfaced in parts of the DRC, raising concerns about possible cross-border transmission in the sub-region.
The President urged Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant, assuring that the Federal Government will deploy all necessary resources to prevent the importation and spread of the virus.
Tinubu Approves N10bn Emergency Fund, Sets Up Task Force as Ebola Resurfaces in DRC
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