Nigeria: President Declares Nigeria Ebola-Free

President Goodluck Jonathan told the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly his administration had rid the country of the deadly Ebola virus.

“Your Excellencies, while Africa, and in particular, West Africa, battles conflicts and terrorism, with progressive results, the region is now being devastated by the outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). While Nigeria was able to respond effectively to control the spread of the disease, the situation in Liberia and Sierra Leone requires sustainable, collective global action to contain.

Through the concerted efforts of our healthcare professionals, the World Health Organisation and our international partners, we have been able to contain the EVD and we can confidently say that Nigeria is today, Ebola-free,” he told delegates consisting mainly of heads of state.

He said Nigeria had however continued to support efforts at containing the spread of the disease in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. In addition to the direct donation US$3,5million the country had provided training and capacity building support to the three countries.

“It is pertinent to stress the need for the international community to properly appreciate the enormity of the EVD challenge. Indulging in isolationist and discriminatory tendencies will only worsen an already critical situation.

"To prevent the disease from becoming a global catastrophe, the UN must accord it the concerted effort it deserves.”

The recent outbreak of Ebola has killed about 2 000 people in the region.