PRESIDENCY UNVIELS  EBOLA TASK FORCE AMID REGIONAL HEALTH CONCERNS

President BOLA TINUBU has approved the creation of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats, alongside the immediate release of ₦10 billion in emergency intervention funding to strengthen Nigeria’s readiness against potential outbreaks.

The announcement was made yesterday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, BAYO ONANUGA, who stated that the funds would be used to enhance the operational capacity of the National Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and support critical public health emergency response efforts across the country.

ONANUGA, noted that the newly established Presidential Task Force will be chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, FEMI GBAJABIAMILA, and will comprise representatives from key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as state governments.

As part of the measures approved by the President, all states hosting international airports and border entry points have been directed to submit detailed preparedness plans, funding requirements, and intervention proposals for coordinated implementation by the federal government.

The move comes amid renewed concerns over the resurgence of Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, raising fears of cross-border transmission within the region.