By Beryl Odele
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has directed public information agencies under his ministry to intensify public education and sensitisation on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) following the confirmation of a case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed the case involving a Ugandan woman who recently travelled to Abuja.
Idris said the Federal Government was taking all necessary measures to contain the disease and protect Nigerians, stressing the need for accurate and widespread public information.
He directed the agencies to reach communities across the country in different languages with clear information on how Ebola spreads, preventive measures and where suspected cases should be reported.
The Minister also instructed the agencies to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the NCDC to ensure that public enlightenment messages are verified and based on scientific evidence.
The agencies include the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Voice of Nigeria (VON) and News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He specifically tasked the NOA with deploying its nationwide offices for grassroots sensitisation in collaboration with traditional rulers, religious leaders, community groups and the media.
Idris further said the ministry would strengthen its engagement with broadcast media organisations, including the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), to expand public awareness of Ebola prevention and containment.
According to him, the collaboration would facilitate the dissemination of verified health information, production and broadcast of public enlightenment jingles, and development of information, education and communication materials in Nigerian languages.
The Minister urged Nigerians to remain calm, rely on information from official sources and refrain from circulating unverified claims on social media.
Members of the public were also advised to report suspected cases immediately by calling the NCDC’s toll-free, 24-hour emergency line on 6232.
