NANS Calls for Student Representation on Ebola Response Committee

The National Association of Nigerian Students has made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to ensure that student representatives are included in the national Ebola Emergency Response Committee. This move, according to the student body, would significantly enhance awareness and sensitisation efforts across all tertiary institutions in the country. In a statement released by the association's Public Relations Officer, Obidah David, on behalf of the NANS leadership, the body commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Ebola Emergency Response Committee, describing it as a proactive measure aimed at protecting the health and well-being of Nigerians. The NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde, emphasized that the inclusion of student representatives in the committee would facilitate the dissemination of crucial health information and improve preparedness efforts within campuses and other educational environments. Given that students constitute a substantial portion of Nigeria's population and are particularly vulnerable due to the nature of campus life, the association believes their participation is essential. The statement highlighted that millions of students reside and interact daily within campuses, hostels, and other educational environments, necessitating targeted public health awareness and preventive measures. By including student representatives, the committee would have a strategic platform for effective information dissemination, grassroots mobilisation, and health sensitisation campaigns across universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions nationwide. NANS expressed its readiness to collaborate with health authorities, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to coordinate awareness campaigns aimed at educating students on preventive measures, early detection protocols, and responsible health practices. The association also noted that involving students in the emergency response framework would promote transparency, accountability, and broader stakeholder participation, ensuring that accurate health information reaches campus communities across the country. While reaffirming its support for government efforts to protect public health, NANS urged the Federal Government to consider its request in the interest of national health security and the well-being of Nigerians. This call comes amidst efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen the country's preparedness against potential Ebola outbreaks through the establishment of an emergency response framework. Nigeria was commended globally for its successful containment of the Ebola outbreak in 2014, following swift intervention by health authorities, extensive contact tracing, and public sensitisation campaigns. Health experts have since underscored the importance of community engagement and public awareness in preventing the spread of infectious diseases, particularly in densely populated environments like campuses.