The Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness, Viral Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats has assured Nigerians that the country is prepared to respond to the Ebola threat and work towards containing its spread.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The chairman of the task force and Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, gave the assurance on Wednesday while addressing journalists after an emergency meeting at the State House, according to reports.

Gbajabiamila disclosed that the task force had been carrying out preparatory activities since its inauguration in June, noting that the measures put in place helped health authorities identify the index case reported a day earlier.

He explained that Nigeria had recorded approximately 44,000 flights into and out of the country since concerns about Ebola emerged in June. He attributed the country’s surveillance efforts to collaboration among the Ministry of Health, the task force and other relevant agencies.

“It’s very important to note this. Since the issue of Ebola came up in June, there have been about 44,000 flights in and out of Nigeria. So, it’s because of what the Ministry of Health, the task force and all the agencies have been doing. All hands have been on deck,” he said.

The presidential aide noted that the infected passenger initially showed no symptoms, with signs of the disease reportedly appearing four days after the woman arrived in Abuja.

According to him, the identification procedures and protocols established by health authorities enabled the case to be detected promptly, demonstrating Nigeria’s capacity to respond to the public health threat.

Gbajabiamila assured Nigerians that the task force would review and strengthen existing measures where necessary, while ensuring stricter enforcement of public health protocols.

“The Task Force is on top of it. NCDC is on top of it; everyone is on deck. We must build community trust and avoid panic, but it’s also important to state clearly that this is a collaborative effort between the government and the people,” he added.

He urged Nigerians to cooperate with health officials and comply with public health directives to support efforts to contain the virus.

Also speaking, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, said Nigeria had competent health authorities and institutions capable of responding to the situation.

He listed private healthcare providers, immigration officials, aviation agencies, the Ministry of Interior and relevant authorities at the state level among those involved in the country’s surveillance and emergency response efforts.

Pate disclosed that health officials were conducting contact tracing and isolating individuals who had been in contact with the imported index case.

He explained that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), had activated an incident management system to coordinate the response.

According to the minister, relevant agencies were working continuously, while hospital facilities and other emergency response capabilities had been activated to help contain the outbreak.

He urged Nigerians to adhere to public health guidelines, adding that most states had response plans in place and that the government was mobilising resources to strengthen preparedness.

Pate expressed confidence that sustained cooperation among government agencies, international health partners and the public would help contain the outbreak.

He also warned against spreading misinformation and unverified reports, noting that false claims could cause unnecessary panic.

The minister reiterated that the task force had met to coordinate the response, while the WHO and Africa CDC were working closely with Nigerian authorities to address the emerging public health threat.

The G-100 opposition coalition has announced that discussions aimed at strengthening its alliance are progressing, as it intensifies efforts to select a consensus presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The coalition disclosed that it had inaugurated key committees to strengthen negotiations and establish a framework for its political activities ahead of the election.

According to reports, the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Sadiq Gombe, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the coalition’s Legal and Media Committees.

The opposition alliance comprises the SDP, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Among the prominent presidential aspirants reportedly being considered for the coalition’s consensus ticket are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke and Adewale Adebayo.

Gombe disclosed that discussions involving the leadership of the participating parties and the presidential hopefuls were ongoing, expressing optimism that significant progress would be made before the end of the year.

He explained that the newly inaugurated Legal Committee, comprising national legal advisers from the participating parties, would examine constitutional provisions, electoral laws and relevant Supreme Court judgments to ensure the coalition’s activities comply with the law.

The committee is also expected to identify potential legal challenges and develop strategies to protect the alliance from possible legal setbacks.

Similarly, the Media and Publicity Committee, made up of national publicity secretaries and campaign spokespersons, will coordinate the coalition’s public communications and develop a unified messaging strategy.

Gombe said the coalition was determined to present Nigerians with a credible and united political alternative, citing concerns over economic hardship and insecurity under the current administration.

He stressed that the alliance’s success would depend on the willingness of its members to prioritise the national interest above individual political ambitions as negotiations over the consensus candidate continue.

She said, “I thank His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Executive Governor of Edo State, for the opportunity to serve him, my state and my country again in another capacity to serve as his Senior Special Assistant on Tourism and Creative Economy.”....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The former reality television star also highlighted Edo State’s cultural heritage and growing entertainment industry as key opportunities for expanding tourism and creative activities.

She pointed to the return of several stolen Benin Bronzes and plans to open museums, noting that these developments could help position the state as a major tourism destination in Nigeria and beyond.

“With the return of many stolen Benin Bronze, soon-to-be opened museums, and an ever-growing entertainment industry, there is no better time for Edo State to be on the forefront of tourism and the creative economy in Nigeria and the world,” she said.