Include students in Ebola emergency response committee, NANS urges FG

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Federal Government to incorporate student representatives into the national Ebola Emergency Response Committee. NANS argues that such inclusion is vital for strengthening awareness and sensitization efforts across Nigeria's tertiary institutions.

NANS Public Relations Officer, Obidah David, issued a statement commending President Bola Tinubu for establishing the committee, describing it as a proactive measure to protect Nigerians' health. The student body emphasized that including student representatives would significantly improve the dissemination of health information and bolster preparedness within campuses, hostels, and lecture halls.

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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.

"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 statement read. NANS highlighted that students, due to their close daily interactions in communal spaces, are a key demographic requiring targeted public health awareness and preventive measures.

The association believes that student representatives would provide a strategic platform for effective information dissemination, grassroots mobilization, and health sensitization campaigns across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. NANS expressed readiness to collaborate with health authorities and educational institutions on awareness campaigns covering preventive measures, early detection, and responsible health practices. This involvement, NANS stated, would promote transparency and accountability within the emergency response framework, ensuring accurate health information reaches campus communities.

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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.