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The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has directed agencies under the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to immediately scale up public education and enlightenment on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), following the confirmation of a case in the Federal Capital Territory.
This was contained in a statement Thursday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister Rabiu Ibrahim.
The agencies are the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), the Voice of Nigeria (VON) and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Blueprint reports that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) had confirmed the case this week in a woman who had recently travelled to Abuja from Uganda. She is in isolation and receiving treatment, and her contacts have been identified and are being followed up by the health authorities.
The Minister said: “The Federal Government is taking every necessary step to contain this case and protect Nigerians. Accurate and timely information is one of our strongest defences. Our agencies must reach every community, in every language, with clear facts on how Ebola spreads, how to protect ourselves and where to report suspected cases.”
He directed the agencies to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the NCDC to ensure that all public messaging is verified and evidence-based.
He also tasked the NOA to deploy its offices nationwide for grassroots sensitisation, working with traditional and religious leaders, community groups and the media.
The Minister urged Nigerians to remain calm, rely only on information from official sources and avoid spreading unverified claims on social media.
“Members of the public are advised to report any suspected case immediately by calling the NCDC’s toll-free 24-hour emergency line, 6232,” he said.
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