NEWS
Fresh Ebola Alert: Lagos Tightens Airport Surveillance as Virus Threat Looms
The Lagos State Government has intensified surveillance and emergency preparedness measures at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) amid renewed concerns over the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in parts of East and Central Africa.
The move is aimed at preventing the importation of the deadly virus into Nigeria through the country’s busiest international gateway, which handles a significant percentage of inbound international passengers.
Leading a high-powered preparedness inspection at the airport, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said authorities were strengthening systems for early detection, rapid isolation, and emergency evacuation of suspected Ebola cases.
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According to him, Lagos remains vulnerable to imported infectious diseases due to its status as Nigeria’s commercial hub and the volume of international travelers arriving daily through MMIA.
Abayomi explained that the state government is also enhancing digital surveillance and passenger monitoring, particularly for travelers arriving from countries considered high-risk.
“Our objective is to create a bottleneck for the virus, not for passengers,” he said, stressing the importance of collaboration between state and federal agencies in safeguarding public health.
The commissioner recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of the Ebola outbreak in 2014 after the virus was imported into Lagos from Liberia.
He noted that lessons from that experience, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to shape the state’s preparedness and response strategies.
As part of ongoing efforts, authorities are considering the introduction of dedicated arrival channels for passengers arriving from high-risk countries to strengthen screening and reduce potential exposure risks.
Speaking during the inspection, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, described airport personnel as the country’s first line of defense against imported infectious diseases.
She emphasized the need for heightened vigilance, noting that effective disease surveillance begins at ports of entry.
Also, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, urged frontline workers to strictly adhere to infection prevention and control measures while carrying out their duties.
Meanwhile, the Airport Manager and Regional General Manager, South-West MMIA, Mr. Olatokunbo Arewa, disclosed that additional preparedness infrastructure, including touchless hand-sanitizer systems and temperature-detection equipment, had been deployed across the airport.
The Head of Port Health Services at MMIA, Dr. Lawal Abdullahi, revealed that the airport had already reviewed and updated its Public Health Emergency Contingency Plan earlier this year and activated its emergency management team in response to recent Ebola developments.
He added that risk assessments had been conducted to identify countries of concern, while passenger screening and information-sharing mechanisms were being strengthened to support rapid response efforts.
Officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Port Health Services, and Lagos State health agencies reaffirmed their commitment to coordinated surveillance, information sharing, and swift response measures to protect Nigerians from Ebola and other infectious disease threats.
The inspection concluded with an assessment of major screening points and emergency response facilities at the airport as authorities intensified efforts to keep the virus out of the country.
NEWS
Tinubu Gov’t Unveils North Central Development Projects Across Eight Sectors
The Presidency has highlighted major development projects across Nigeria’s North Central region under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, covering eight key sectors, including road infrastructure, power, agriculture, education, aviation and security.
Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication and Presidential Spokesperson, disclosed this on Sunday, November 15, 2026, in a post on his X account.
According to Dare, the projects are designed to improve regional connectivity, expand economic opportunities, strengthen food security and promote development across communities in the region.
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He highlighted interventions spanning major road construction, renewable energy, agricultural support, educational development, security infrastructure and empowerment programmes.
In the road infrastructure sector, the listed projects include the Mararaban Jama’a–Pankshin–Langtang–Shendam–River Ibi corridor dual carriageway, Phase II rehabilitation of the Babban-Lamba–Sharan Road and construction of the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri Superhighway.
Others include the construction of the 600-metre Akwanga Underpass, completion of the Lafia Bypass, reconstruction of the Bali–Serti–Gembu Road and construction of the Gembu–Mbamnga–Yang Road, which commenced in early 2025. Improvement works are also listed along the Jalingo–Wukari corridor.
In the aviation sector, the government highlighted approval for the construction of an airstrip on the Mambilla Plateau.
The power and renewable energy initiatives include a 40-megawatt hydropower plant at the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam, expected to supply electricity to the national grid, as well as irrigation channels to support year-round farming.
Other interventions include the deployment of solar-powered mini-grids, installation of solar streetlights and provision of solar home systems to households.
On agriculture and food security, the Renewed Hope Agricultural Support Programme is expected to provide farmers with improved seedlings, fertiliser and agricultural training.
The list also includes support for hybrid potato farming, expansion of irrigated farmland through dam infrastructure and development of agricultural processing centres.
For women and youth empowerment, the initiatives include agricultural support for women and young farmers through the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative.
Vocational skills development and certification for women, start-up grants for small businesses, market women empowerment through business training and start-up tools, as well as rural grants and skills development programmes, are also highlighted.
In education, the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa is listed for transformation into the Federal University of Mining, Engineering and Technology, alongside expanded scholarship opportunities and improved access to higher education.
On security, the government outlined plans for the establishment of a new Army Division in Jalingo, Taraba State, alongside strengthened security deployment to protect farming communities and improve safety.
The eighth area focuses on regional development, with the North Central Development Commission identified as a long-term regional development initiative. Additional federal road projects are also expected to improve connectivity and support economic activities.
Dare’s disclosure highlights the administration’s focus on infrastructure expansion, agricultural productivity, energy access and human capital development as part of its Renewed Hope Agenda.
NEWS
Shettima, Wife Depart Abuja for Jos as Tinubu–Shettima Campaign Takes Rally to Plateau
Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Jos, Plateau State, alongside his wife, Hajiya Nana Shettima, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in the state.
The visit is part of the Tinubu–Shettima campaign’s engagements as the ruling party seeks to secure support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The campaign’s visit to Plateau is expected to highlight the Federal Government’s infrastructure and economic development projects in the state, particularly those aimed at improving road connectivity, boosting commerce and supporting agricultural activities.
SEE ALSO: Tinubu, Shettima Head to Jos for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
Among the projects highlighted by the administration is the ongoing 125-kilometre Akwanga–Jos highway, which forms part of the Akwanga–Bauchi–Gombe–Maiduguri Superhighway.
Other projects include the rehabilitation of the Sharram–Garram–Babban Lamba Road in Kanke and the approved Mararaban Jama’a–Kanke–Langtang–Shendam–Ibi Road, which is expected to improve connectivity between Plateau and Taraba states.
The administration says the projects are part of its broader development agenda to connect communities, facilitate access to markets and provide farmers and businesses with improved infrastructure.
The APC campaign is expected to use the rally to present the administration’s achievements and future plans while seeking the confidence of Plateau residents to continue its development agenda beyond 2027.
NEWS
Ogun Police Disburse ₦10.6m to Families of Fallen Officers Under IGP Welfare Scheme
The Ogun State Police Command has presented cheques totalling ₦10.65 million to families and next-of-kin of deceased police officers who served under the command, as part of efforts to support dependants of personnel who died in active service.
The cheques, amounting to ₦10,658,391.36, were presented on Saturday, November 14, 2026, by the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, anipr, and dated November 14, 2026.
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The presentation took place at the Command Headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, under the Nigeria Police Force Group Life Assurance and the IGP Family Welfare Schemes.
The initiatives are designed to provide financial assistance to families of police officers who lost their lives while serving the country.
Accompanied by members of the Command Management Team, Ojajuni personally handed over the cheques to the beneficiaries.
Addressing the recipients, the police commissioner reaffirmed the Inspector-General’s commitment to the welfare of police personnel and their families.
He described the widows and families of the deceased officers as the “true superheroes”, acknowledging their resilience in coping with the loss of their loved ones who died in service to the nation.
Ojajuni noted that the financial intervention was a demonstration of the Force’s appreciation and institutional responsibility to support the families of fallen officers.
He said the initiative represented the Nigeria Police Force’s enduring commitment to standing by the dependants of personnel who paid the ultimate price in active service.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ejembi Ada Veronica thanked the Inspector-General of Police and the Ogun State Police Command for remembering their families and providing financial assistance.
She assured the authorities that the money would be channelled towards the education, upkeep and general welfare of the children and dependants left behind by the deceased officers.
According to her, the intervention would provide timely relief and help improve the stability of the affected families.
The Ogun State Police Command reiterated its commitment to supporting the families of fallen officers, assuring them of its continued solidarity.





