The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats.
Idris said the President’s decision demonstrated the administration’s commitment to protecting Nigerians through preparedness, coordination, and timely action to address potential public health emergencies.
He spoke on Thursday in Abuja at the inaugural meeting of the Communications, Diplomacy and International Engagement Sub-Committee of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu also approved the immediate release of N10 billion in emergency intervention funding for the task force chaired by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The minister, who chairs the sub-committee, said it was always better to prepare ahead of a crisis than to respond after one had already emerged.
“Let me assure Nigerians that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria. However, recent developments elsewhere in Africa remind us that infectious diseases know no borders.
“Our responsibility, therefore, is to remain vigilant while providing accurate information that reassures the public without creating any fear or panic,” Idris said.
He described communication as one of the most powerful tools in managing public health emergencies, noting that accurate and timely information saves lives and strengthens public confidence.
“Accurate, timely and science-based information saves lives while misinformation and rumours can undermine public confidence and hinder effective response.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that government speaks with one clear and coordinated voice, guided by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the country’s technical authority on disease prevention and control.
“Nigeria approaches this task with confidence, having successfully contained the Ebola outbreak in 2014.”
The minister said Nigeria’s success in containing the 2014 Ebola outbreak was driven by strong leadership, coordinated action, effective surveillance and sustained public communication.
“The lessons we learned at that time remain relevant today. Our assignment, therefore, goes beyond issuing just press statements.
“We are to develop a comprehensive national risk communication strategy that is proactive, transparent and accessible to all Nigerians, regardless of language or location.”
According to him, the committee’s immediate priorities include developing a harmonised communication strategy, producing standard public messages and strengthening efforts against misinformation.
“Our immediate priorities should include developing a harmonised communication strategy, producing standard public messages and frequently asked questions.
“This will strengthen mechanisms to counter misinformation, while also translating these communication materials into major Nigerian languages and sustaining regular media and community engagement.”
Idris said the committee would ensure consistency, clarity and credibility in public health messaging through coordinated communication across government institutions and stakeholders.
“To support this objective, this subcommittee will develop a unified national risk communication strategy to ensure consistency, clarity and credibility across all public health messaging.
“We will harmonise public communication across ministries, departments and agencies. We will coordinate media engagement and public information efforts and strengthen mechanisms to rapidly detect and correct misinformation and fake news.”
The minister said the committee would also promote public trust through regular, transparent and evidence-based communication, while ensuring all public messages were validated by the NCDC.
“We will also promote public trust through regular, transparent and evidence-based communication, while ensuring that all communication materials disseminated to the public are technically validated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.”
He commended the National Orientation Agency (NOA) for commencing nationwide sensitisation using approved health messages developed by the NCDC.
“With its nationwide presence across all the 774 local government areas, the National Orientation Agency remains one of government’s strongest platforms for grassroots mobilisation and public enlightenment.
“Going forward, we must adopt an inclusive approach by engaging television, radio, newspapers, digital and social media, community platforms, traditional religious institutions, schools, markets, transport unions, women and youth groups, and civil society organisations.”
Idris described the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a matter of serious concern requiring continued vigilance and preparedness across the region.
According to him, available reports indicate that the outbreak has recorded about 600 deaths and more than 1,700 cases, with investigations extending beyond the initially affected provinces.
The minister reassured Nigerians that no Ebola case had been confirmed in the country, but noted that the NCDC had classified the risk of importation as high.
“Consequently, surveillance has been strengthened at our points of entry, health facilities have been placed on heightened alert, and preparedness measures have been intensified across the country.”
NAN reports that the sub-committee comprises representatives of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), NCDC, NOA and other stakeholders.
