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Ebola: President Jonathan Welcomes WHO Declaration

October 20, 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan has directed that all the anti-Ebola measures taken after the entry of the virus into the country last July should remain in place, and that health officials should continue to actively screen persons entering the country for any sign of the virus.

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President Goodluck Jonathan

The directive follows Monday’s declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) that Nigeria is now officially Ebola-free after 42 days without any incidence of the virus.

Spokesman Reuben Abati said the President dedicated WHO’s certification to the many patriotic health workers, volunteers and ordinary Nigerians who worked tirelessly, some of them paying the ultimate price, to stop the deadly virus after it entered the country.

“The President seizes this opportunity to also reiterate his appreciation of the contributions of state governments, WHO and other international health organizations, relatives of infected persons and other Nigerians who either courageously underwent the rigors of being quarantined or complied with all directives issued by health authorities to defeat the virus.

“He believes that Nigeria’s globally-acclaimed success against Ebola is a testimony to what Nigerians can achieve if they set aside their differences and work together, and calls on Nigerians to strive to replicate the unity of purpose and all-hands-on-deck approach adopted against Ebola in other areas of national life.”

Warning that the entire country must remain fully alert and vigilant against the re-entry of the virus, Mr. Jonathan also urged all Nigerians to continue to follow the anti-Ebola advisories on sanitation and personal hygiene issued by Federal and State Health authorities.

The statement said President Jonathan fully shares the view expressed by WHO that while we have won a battle against Ebola, the war will only truly end when West Africa, Africa and the world are declared free of the disease.