BY BEN AGANDE

Abuja— After Several weeks of denial, the Federal Government, yesterday, admitted that Nigeria was in imminent danger of Ebola virus attack, which has been ravaging countries in East and, recently, West Africa.

Minister of Health, Onyebuch Chuckwu, said: “Yes, Ebola is a real threat. It is true that we have not been able to report a single case of Ebola.

“But mind you Ebola is not the only threat, it is an added threat because West Africa never had a single case of Ebola until this year. It was more in Central Africa.

“Nigeria is in danger. But we have recently said that in addition to the leaflets that we are producing for Lassa and other homoragic fever, we will now emphasise Ebola fever.

“As I speak to you, we have already approved jingles to be produced in various languages for Nigerian Centre for Disease Control to be aired on Radio, TV and newspaper adverts.

“We are working with religious bodies, communities, traditional rulers and the media, just like we are doing for polio, which is most important in this venture. You will help us to play your role by educating Nigerians.

According to him “Ebola has been moving eastward towards Nigeria and we are already facing danger from Central African Republic; even with what is happening in Congo. People are also migrating to Chad and Cameroon.”

He then called on Nigerians to improve on personal hygienes, saying “the first thing I do after returning from work is to wash my hands. The second thing is that before you eat wash your hands again.

“The fruits must be washed. Those things we eat from must be washed. We will soon review our adverts for things like anti-malaria.”