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Ebola Outbreak: Tinubu’s Task Force Breaks Silence, Assures Nigerians of Nigeria’s Readiness.

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The Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness, Viral Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats has assured Nigerians that the country has the capacity to respond to and contain Ebola.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

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

Gbajabiamila disclosed that the task force had been working behind the scenes since its inauguration in June, explaining that the preparations helped authorities identify the index case reported a day earlier.

He noted that Nigeria had recorded approximately 44,000 flights into and out of the country since concerns about Ebola emerged in June. According to him, the collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the task force and other relevant agencies had strengthened the country’s surveillance and response systems.

“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 explained that the infected passenger initially showed no symptoms, with signs of the disease reportedly emerging four days after the woman arrived in Abuja. He said established identification procedures and response protocols enabled health authorities to detect the case promptly.

According to Gbajabiamila, the development demonstrated Nigeria’s preparedness and ability to respond to the disease.

He added that the task force would review existing procedures, strengthen areas requiring improvement and ensure 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 stated.

Gbajabiamila urged Nigerians to cooperate with health authorities and comply with public health guidelines to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Also speaking after the meeting, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, said Nigeria had competent health institutions and professionals capable of managing the situation.

He identified private healthcare providers, immigration officials, aviation agencies, the Ministry of Interior and relevant authorities at the state level as part of the country’s coordinated surveillance and emergency response network.

Pate disclosed that health authorities were conducting contact tracing and isolating individuals who had come into contact with the imported index case.

He added that the Federal Government, working 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 its incident management system to coordinate the response.

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

He stressed that authorities would sustain their efforts and urged Nigerians to comply with public health directives.

Pate further said most states had developed response plans and that the government was mobilising the resources required to strengthen preparedness and prevent further transmission.

The minister expressed confidence that continued cooperation among government agencies, health partners and the public would improve the country’s chances of containing the outbreak.

He also cautioned Nigerians against spreading false information and unverified reports, warning that misinformation could trigger unnecessary panic.

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

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2027 Election: Tension As G-100 Moves To Pick Consensus Candidate, Names Politicians In The Race.

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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.

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Okpebholo Makes Surprise Appointment, Names Former BBNaija Star Anto Lecky Special Adviser.

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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.

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2027 Election: Akume Reveals Why Atiku, Other Northern Candidates Should Not Challenge Tinubu.

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The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other Northern presidential aspirants to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, arguing that their ambitions conflict with Nigeria’s power rotation arrangement.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Akume maintained that the North had already completed its eight-year presidential tenure under former President Muhammadu Buhari before President Bola Tinubu assumed office in 2023. He argued that the South should be allowed to complete its own eight-year term before power returns to the North.

He warned that abandoning the arrangement could threaten national unity, fairness and the stability of Nigeria’s democratic system.

According to reports, Akume made the remarks on Wednesday while receiving a delegation of the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM), Nigeria, led by its Supreme Knight, Sir Steve Adehi.

The SGF’s position was contained in a statement issued by Chris Ugwuegbulam, Head of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Akume explained that the power rotation principle emerged from consultations among political leaders ahead of Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999. He described the arrangement as an important framework for ensuring equitable access to the presidency and maintaining trust among the country’s diverse regions.

He recalled that the agreement was reached in Kaduna in 1999 following extensive discussions among governors-elect elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other prominent political figures.

According to him, the understanding provided for the presidency to alternate between the North and South in eight-year cycles, beginning with the South.

Akume said the arrangement was designed to promote political balance, strengthen mutual confidence among Nigeria’s regions and protect national unity.

He further argued that the power-sharing understanding had contributed to the sustenance of democratic governance by providing a framework for managing the country’s regional diversity and preventing any part of the nation from feeling permanently excluded from the highest political office.

The SGF cautioned against treating power rotation as a temporary political convenience, insisting that it represented an important understanding rooted in fairness, mutual respect and national stability.

He particularly criticised attempts by Northern politicians to seek the presidency before the South completes its current eight-year tenure under Tinubu.

Akume maintained that respecting the arrangement would demonstrate political maturity and reinforce the need to place national interest above personal political ambitions.

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