From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa state government has intensified disease surveillance and emergency preparedness following reports of an Ebola case in Nigeria, disclosing that five persons identified through airport screening are being monitored for 21 days.

However, the government said no case of Ebola had been recorded in the state urging residents to remain calm, observe preventive measures and avoid spreading unverified information capable of triggering public panic.

“The commissioner for Health, prof. Seiyefa Brisibe disclosed this while briefing journalists in Yenagoa the Bayelsa state capital, where he outlined measures being implemented to strengthen the state’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to any possible introduction of the virus.

Brisibe said the federal ministry of health and social welfare, through the Nigeria centre for disease control and prevention, had confirmed an Ebola case on October 20, 2026, prompting heightened vigilance among public health authorities.

The commissioner urged residents to report suspected cases promptly to the appropriate health authorities and obtain information only from verified sources, including the state and federal ministries of health and other recognised public health agencies,he warned that spreading rumours about suspected Ebola infections could undermine public health interventions and create unnecessary fear.

“Please do not rely on rumours about Ebola that could cause panic or spread misinformation,anyone who suspects exposure to the virus should contact the nearest health facility, doctor or healthcare provider and use the designated emergency contact numbers provided by the authorities,” he said.

Brisibe stressed that preventing the introduction and spread of infectious diseases required the active participation of residents, noting that outbreaks could affect people irrespective of their ethnic background, race, economic status or social standing.

He urged residents to promptly report credible information about suspected cases rather than circulate unverified claims on social media or other communication platforms,”If you see anything, say something. If you hear anything, take action. This is not just about the Ministry of health or the Bayelsa state government; it is about all of us,” he added.

The commissioner also appealed to residents to maintain proper hygiene, particularly regular handwashing with soap and water and the use of appropriate hand sanitisers.

He called on ministries, government agencies, public institutions and private businesses to provide handwashing facilities on their premises to promote good hygiene practices,however, he cautioned against allowing the preventive measures to create unnecessary anxiety, explaining that hand hygiene was an essential public health practice that helped prevent several infectious diseases, not Ebola alone.

The government also warned against stigmatising people because of their travel history or suspected exposure to the virus.

Brisibe said anyone suspected of exposure should be subjected to appropriate medical assessment and established public health procedures rather than speculation, discrimination or public condemnation.

The commissioner said the state’s experience in managing previous public health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic and cholera outbreaks had strengthened its capacity to prepare for and respond to infectious disease threats.

He recalled that during a diarrhoeal disease and cholera outbreak in 2025, the state adopted measures centred on prevention, community engagement, improved hygiene and effective case management.

According to him, more than 1,000 suspected cases were managed during the outbreak without any recorded deaths in public and private hospitals across the state.

He said the experience reinforced the importance of early intervention, effective communication, disease surveillance and prompt medical attention in reducing the impact of infectious disease outbreaks.

Brisibe explained that the state’s public health strategy was built around three major priorities: preventing outbreaks through public education and community engagement, limiting transmission through improved hygiene contact tracing and surveillance and ensuring the availability of essential medical supplies and treatment to reduce fatalities if cases occurred.

He said the same principles were being applied to the state’s Ebola preparedness efforts, with prevention remaining the immediate priority, “we have gained a lot of valuable experience in handling public health emergencies, including COVID-19, cholera and other infectious disease outbreaks”.

The government disclosed that it was strengthening emergency coordination and rapid-response capacity, with the Bayelsa Emergency Ambulance System providing additional logistical support for emergency medical services.

Brisibe said the Ministry of Health had activated relevant technical teams and appointed an incident manager to coordinate preparedness activities,he identified the director of public health, Dr Ebikapaye Okoyen, as the incident manager, while a technical team led by the ministry’s permanent secretary Dr. John Stow was coordinating the response.

The team is expected to coordinate the various response components, identify existing gaps and ensure that necessary preparedness measures are implemented. Saying the arrangement would improve coordination among health officials and strengthen the state’s ability to identify, assess and respond promptly to potential public health threats.

Brisibe explained that the movement of people through coastal waterways and offshore locations presented additional surveillance challenges, especially where fishing communities interacted with vessels operating in the area.

He said the government was examining potential gaps in monitoring such locations to improve early detection and ensure that vulnerable communities were not excluded from the state’s public health surveillance network.

He urged community stakeholders to disseminate accurate information, encourage residents to report suspected cases and discourage discrimination against anyone requiring medical evaluation.

The government assured residents that it remained committed to protecting public health through continuous surveillance, public education and emergency preparedness,it said strengthened disease surveillance had also helped the state monitor infectious disease threats reported in neighbouring states although the specific outbreak referenced during the briefing was not identified.

Brisibe reiterated the need for residents to remain calm, follow verified public health advisories and promptly report suspected cases through established channels, he emphasised that effective disease prevention required cooperation among government agencies, healthcare professionals, community leaders, the media and members of the public.

The commissioner urged residents to remain informed and vigilant, stressing that suspected cases should be reported to ensure proper medical assessment and prevent possible transmission, rather than to stigmatise affected individuals, “the protection of the public is a shared responsibility and together we can reduce the risk of Ebola entering and spreading within the state,” he said.

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Federal Government has disbursed N38.93 billion to 166 public tertiary institutions nationwide under the Needs Assessment Revitalisation Fund.

The disbursement covers 79 universities, 46 polytechnics and 41 colleges of education to support approved projects aimed at addressing infrastructure gaps and improving teaching and learning facilities across the institutions.

The university component accounts for ₦28.5 billion for 79 institutions, while 46 polytechnics have allocations totalling ₦5.8 billion. The 41 colleges of education are allocated ₦4.

The intervention forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to address the needs of public universities and support the implementation of agreed measures under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The funds are expected to enable beneficiary institutions to commence or advance approved projects addressing critical infrastructure and other identified institutional needs, with the overall objective of strengthening the quality of tertiary education in Nigeria.

The disbursement underscores the importance of effective coordination between the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of Education and beneficiary institutions in ensuring that approved public funding translates into tangible improvements in educational infrastructure and institutional capacity.

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has commissioned Anchorage Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, a multi-billion naira pharmaceutical company in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu.

The coming on stream of the company is expected to boost local drug manufacturing, create jobs and strengthen healthcare delivery in the country.

This was even as the Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke (Rtd), commended Mbah for creating an investment-friendly environment in the state, describing Anchorage as a legacy project conceived to generate employment, develop local talent and contribute to economic development.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Thursday, Mbah said the facility represented more than a pharmaceutical business, describing it as an investment in public health, economic growth and the future of young people in the state.

The governor congratulated the company’s founder, board and management, noting that establishing a manufacturing enterprise required substantial commitment and confidence in the state’s economic prospects.

He said the facility would provide employment opportunities, offer internship placements and facilitate skills transfer, while supporting healthcare delivery across Enugu State.

Mbah disclosed that the government would explore commercial partnerships with the company to supply medicines to its central medical stores and primary healthcare facilities.

The governor further noted that the state was building 260 Type-2 primary healthcare centres, adding that the facilities would require reliable supplies of essential medicines to function effectively.

“We are interested in made-in-Enugu, and that’s what you’re doing here,” he said, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to partnering with private enterprises beyond providing an enabling environment.

Mbah added that private capital remained central to the state’s economic growth strategy, emphasising the need to retain skilled young people by creating opportunities for them to build their careers in Enugu.

Madueke said Anchorage was the practical expression of his longstanding conviction that private enterprise could create jobs, broaden economic opportunities and improve prosperity.

The former Chief of the Naval Staff as well as ex-military governor of old Anambra and Imo States said the company would prioritise product quality, patient safety, regulatory compliance and sound corporate governance, while acknowledging the role of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in safeguarding public health.

Madueke expressed confidence that Anchorage would contribute to the development of Enugu State, the South-East and Nigeria, while thanking Mbah for commissioning the facility and building a resilient business-friendly infrastructure.

In his closing remarks, the Managing Director of the company, Engr. Chima Madueke, said the company was founded on quality and wellness, encapsulated in its slogan, “Anchored in Quality, Committed to Wellness.”

According to him, the company had obtained the necessary approvals and clearances from NAFDAC and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), reaffirming its commitment to quality assurance.

He added that Anchorage would help tackle fake and substandard medicines in Nigeria, adding that it was open to direct supplies to hospitals, healthcare institutions and pharmacies.

Meanwhile, the commission underscores the growing role of private-sector investment in the Mbah administration’s drive to expand Enugu’s economic base, with the governor assuring investors of continued government support to improve the business environment and enhance returns on investment.