By Oluwakemi Kindness
The House of Representatives has urged Nigerians to remain calm and follow official health guidelines amid concerns over Ebola.
Lawmalers also called on the Federal Government to release outstanding funds appropriated for health agencies.
The appeal for calm was made by the Chairman of the House Committee on Infectious Diseases, Rep. Amobi Godwin-Ogah, during a briefing with the House Press Corps in Abuja on Wednesday.
Ogah stressed the need for vigilance, early detection and strict compliance with preventive measures to limit the possible spread of the disease.
The appeal followed the reported confirmation of an Ebola case involving a woman who arrived in Abuja from Uganda on October 20, 2026, with health authorities reportedly tracing 44 contacts for isolation and further testing.
Separately, the House called for the release of outstanding health funds during plenary on Wednesday, following a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Ogah.
The lawmakers urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance, to release the funds to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness and response to the Ebola Virus Disease.
They also called for the immediate mobilisation of private, state and federal health agencies to remain on high alert.
The House urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to assess funding needs and strengthen surveillance, screening, laboratory testing and contact tracing.
The motion warned that delays in detecting suspected cases, isolating confirmed infections and tracing contacts could increase transmission risks and put additional pressure on the healthcare system.
The lawmakers also raised concerns about public awareness, infection prevention and control supplies, healthcare workers’ preparedness and emergency response capacity.
The House emphasised coordination among relevant federal and state agencies, port health authorities, the World Health Organisation and other international public health institutions.
It mandated the House Committee on Infectious Diseases to engage relevant ministries, departments, agencies and public health institutions for updates on Nigeria’s Ebola situation and report back for further legislative action.
The lawmakers urged Nigerians to rely on verified information from health authorities and comply with official preventive guidance.
