News
Lawmakers Raise Alarm Over Ebola Risk, Demand Emergency Funds Support for NCDC
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to immediately release funds to the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, warning that Nigeria’s ability to respond to a potential Ebola outbreak could be undermined by persistent funding shortfalls.
This was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by Rep. Amobi Ogah, who drew lawmakers’ attention to the recent outbreak of a rare strain of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Tuesday at plenary.
Debating the motion Rep. Ogah referenced reports by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention indicating that the outbreak was detected in Turi Province of the DRC on May 15, 2026.
He warned that Nigeria remains particularly vulnerable due to extensive cross-border movements and the country’s porous borders, factors that could increase the risk of disease importation.
Oga who is the Chairman House Committee on Malaria, HIV and Tuberculosis noted that on May 25, 2026, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention classified Nigeria as being at high risk of Ebola importation and activated emergency preparedness protocols, including placing the National Emergency Operations Centre on alert.
Despite these precautionary measures, Ogah expressed concern over what he described as a severe funding crisis affecting the agency.
According to him, the NCDC received no operational funding throughout 2025, while no capital releases had been made against its approved 2026 budget. He also stated that overhead releases to the agency had been irregular and inadequate.
The lawmaker argued that the funding constraints had significantly weakened the NCDC’s capacity to carry out essential public health functions, including disease surveillance, laboratory operations, outbreak response, logistics management and emergency preparedness activities.
“The preparedness of the Centre cannot be guaranteed under the current circumstances,” he said.
Ogah told lawmakers that the agency is currently grappling with multiple operational challenges, including unpaid contractors and vendors responsible for critical supplies and services.
He also highlighted delays in the construction of zonal laboratories, treatment centres and isolation facilities, as well as shortages of laboratory reagents and consumables needed for testing and diagnosis.
Other challenges identified include inadequate biosecurity infrastructure, limited intensive care and oxygen support systems, and insufficient resources for the training and deployment of rapid response teams across the country.
The lawmaker warned that failure to provide urgent financial support could leave Nigeria exposed to the renewed Ebola threat and other infectious disease outbreaks.
He stressed that strengthening the country’s disease surveillance and response capabilities was critical to safeguarding public health and preventing a repeat of previous epidemic emergencies.
Contributing to the debate, Rep. Billy Osawaru commended the sponsor of the motion and reminded Nigerians of the country’s successful containment of the 2014 Ebola outbreak after the virus was introduced by an infected traveller from Liberia.
He noted that Nigeria limited the outbreak to 20 cases and eight deaths through coordinated efforts by healthcare workers, emergency response agencies, the Federal Ministry of Health, the NCDC, and international partners.
Osawaru praised the courage and professionalism displayed by frontline health workers during the crisis, particularly the late Dr. Stella Adadevoh and other medical personnel whose actions helped prevent a wider outbreak.
The lawmaker, however, warned that Nigeria remains vulnerable due to its extensive land borders, heavy international travel and trade activities, and increasing regional mobility.
He expressed particular concern that the current outbreak is linked to the Bombali virus, a rare strain of Ebola for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments.
“The risk of importation remains real if proactive preventive measures are not strengthened and sustained,” he said while seconding the motion.
The House unanimously adopt the motion directed the Executive Arm of Government to immediately release funds appropriated for the NCDC to enable the agency settle outstanding liabilities and carry out its statutory responsibilities effectively.
The lawmakers also mandated the House Committee on Infectious Diseases to monitor the utilisation of the released funds and report back to the House for further legislative action.
In addition, the House called on relevant border and port authorities to intensify surveillance and screening activities at entry points across the country to prevent the importation of the disease, while the Committee on Legislative Compliance was tasked with ensuring full implementation of the resolutions.
The resolution comes amid growing concerns across Africa over the spread of infectious diseases and renewed calls for stronger investment in public health infrastructure and emergency preparedness systems.
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
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