The Lagos State Government has intensified surveillance and emergency preparedness measures following a deadly outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in Central and East Africa that has claimed at least 177 lives from nearly 700 suspected cases, raising fresh global health concerns.

The outbreak, currently affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, has prompted the World Health Organisation (WHO) to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) amid fears that difficult terrain and delayed containment efforts could worsen the spread of the virus.

Reacting to the alarming development, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, assured residents that no suspected or confirmed Ebola case has been detected in Lagos, even as the state government ramps up monitoring and border screening operations.

In a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday, Abayomi said the state was closely tracking the situation and had activated its emergency response architecture to prevent any possible importation of the deadly virus into Nigeria.

“We are closely monitoring the evolving Ebola outbreak situation in Central and East Africa… we have not seen any cases resembling Ebola in Lagos to date,” he said.

The commissioner explained that Lagos has deployed its outbreak-tested “Biosecurity Bio-shield,” a system developed to rapidly detect, isolate and contain highly infectious diseases. He noted that the framework, first strengthened during the 2014 Ebola outbreak and later reinforced during the COVID-19 pandemic, cholera, diphtheria and Lassa fever outbreaks, remains fully operational.

According to him, the Lagos State Incident Command System (ICS), under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has been placed on standby to coordinate any emergency response if necessary.

Abayomi disclosed that the state’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is functioning round-the-clock, with epidemiologists and disease surveillance officers monitoring community-level health signals across Lagos.

He further revealed that the Lagos State Infectious Disease Hospital has been placed on high alert, with isolation wards, intensive care units and treatment facilities fully prepared to handle any suspected Ebola cases.

The commissioner added that the state’s Biosafety Level-3 Laboratory located in Yaba has also been placed on enhanced alert to ensure rapid diagnosis of high-risk infectious diseases.

As part of efforts to prevent cross-border transmission, Abayomi said all flights arriving from East and Central Africa are undergoing intensified health screening in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research.

He added that surveillance activities have also been strengthened at seaports and land borders, with Port Health officers placed on heightened alert.

At the grassroots level, Community Health Workers, Community Development Associations and Civil Society Organisations have been integrated into an early-warning system aimed at ensuring the prompt reporting of suspected Ebola cases.

The commissioner said strategic stockpiles of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), disinfectants and emergency medical supplies have already been positioned across critical locations in the state, while ambulance services remain on standby for rapid deployment.

Despite the rising death toll in Africa’s latest Ebola outbreak, Abayomi urged Lagos residents not to panic, stressing that preparedness and rapid response remain central to the state’s public health strategy.

“Our focus remains prevention, early detection, rapid reporting and swift response. Preparedness is not a temporary reaction for us; it is our permanent culture,” he said.

He advised residents who recently travelled to Congo or Uganda, or had contact with travellers from affected areas and are experiencing symptoms associated with Ebola, to immediately contact emergency lines 767 or 112, or reach the State Epidemiologist on 08023169485.

PRESS STATEMENT

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the rescheduling of its Governorship Primary Elections in Bauchi State and Kwara State to Friday, May 22, 2026.

In the same vein, the party has approved a new date for the State House of Assembly Primary Elections in Maradun I and Maradun II constituencies of Zamfara State, which will now hold on Sunday, May 24, 2026.

The decision was ratified by the National Working Committee (NWC) after consultations with critical stakeholders as part of efforts to guarantee a transparent, peaceful, orderly, and credible primary election process.

The party reiterated its commitment to upholding internal democracy and ensuring the successful conduct of all primary elections ahead of the forthcoming polls.

Signed:

Felix Morka

National Publicity Secretary

All Progressives Congress (APC)

The Governor of Abia State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to achieving energy independence and expanding access to reliable electricity across the state following a high-level meeting with the leadership of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).

The governor disclosed this after receiving the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDPHC, Jennifer Adighije, alongside members of her management team during a courtesy visit to his office.

During the meeting, the governor praised the successful revival of the Alaoji Power Plant in Aba, describing the development as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to guarantee stable and uninterrupted electricity supply in the state.

According to him, the restoration of operations at the plant represents a critical milestone in strengthening power generation and supporting industrial growth, particularly within the Aba economic corridor.

He revealed that the Alaoji Power Plant currently dispatches approximately 375 megawatts of electricity to the national grid, while expansion plans are already underway to increase output capacity to nearly 800 megawatts, with long-term projections targeting up to 1,100 megawatts.

The governor noted that electricity remains central to his administration’s broader economic transformation agenda, stressing that sustainable power supply is essential for industrialization, job creation, healthcare delivery, education, and overall social development.

He explained that since assuming office, his government has implemented strategic reforms aimed at repositioning the power sector within the state. These reforms include the ring-fencing of the Aba industrial cluster to ensure more efficient electricity management and the ongoing process to acquire the Umuahia electricity axis of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).

According to the governor, the measures are designed to place electricity generation, regulation, and distribution substantially under the control of the state government, thereby enabling faster decision-making and improved service delivery.

He expressed optimism that deeper collaboration between Abia State and NDPHC would make it possible to wheel electricity directly from the Alaoji facility to the remaining eight local government areas outside the Aba corridor.

The planned expansion, he said, would ensure that homes, schools, hospitals, and industries across the state gain access to reliable and affordable power supply.

The governor further emphasized that improved electricity infrastructure would significantly boost economic productivity, attract investors, strengthen small and medium-scale enterprises, and enhance the quality of life for residents.

Reaffirming his administration’s vision, he declared that Abia State is prepared to lead Nigeria’s push toward subnational energy independence through strategic partnerships, infrastructure investments, and sector reforms.

He added that the state government remains committed to building a power ecosystem capable of driving industrial production, supporting innovation, and sustaining long-term prosperity for the people of Abia.