NANS seeks seat on Ebola response committee

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged the Federal Government to include student representatives in the national Ebola Emergency Response Committee, saying their participation would strengthen awareness and sensitisation efforts across tertiary institutions.

The appeal was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the association’s Public Relations Officer, Obidah David, on behalf of the NANS leadership.

The student body also commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Ebola Emergency Response Committee, describing the move as a proactive step towards protecting the health and well-being of Nigerians.

NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde, said student inclusion in the committee would improve the dissemination of health information and boost preparedness efforts within campuses and other educational environments.

The association said students make up a significant segment of the country’s population and require targeted public health awareness because of the nature of campus life and daily interactions.

The statement said: “Students constitute a significant percentage of Nigeria’s population, with millions residing and interacting daily within campuses, hostels and other educational environments that require targeted public health awareness and preventive measures.

“The inclusion of student representatives will provide a strategic platform for effective dissemination of information, grassroots mobilisation and health sensitisation campaigns across universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other tertiary institutions nationwide.”

NANS said it was ready to work with health authorities, educational institutions and other stakeholders to coordinate awareness campaigns on preventive measures, early detection protocols and responsible health practices.

According to the association, involving students in the emergency response framework would promote transparency, accountability and wider stakeholder participation while ensuring 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 the request in the interest of national health security and the well-being of Nigerians.

The call comes as the Federal Government strengthens the country’s preparedness against potential Ebola outbreaks through the establishment of an emergency response framework.

Nigeria earned widespread praise for successfully containing the Ebola outbreak that entered the country in 2014 through swift intervention by health authorities, extensive contact tracing and public sensitisation campaigns.

Health experts have continued to emphasise the importance of community engagement and public awareness in preventing the spread of infectious diseases, particularly among large populations such as students living in densely populated campus environments.