The certification of Nigeria as Ebola free by the World Health Organisation, WHO may be potentially brewing another round of controversy, as the Lagos chapter of the All Progressive Congress has said the Lagos State government ought to be given kudos for leading the way in the fight against the disease.
In a statement released in Lagos today, the Lagos APC Publicity Secretary said, though the party acknowledges the “ancillary roles” of others, including the federal government, it said the Fashola led Lagos State government led the way and defeated Ebola.
The APC said: “We note that Nigeria is gloating over the successful containment of Ebola virus. We note that some people and groups are positioning themselves for the accolades for this feat. But what is not in doubt is that the Lagos State government, through its health ministry and health staff, set the pace for the control of the virus and led the way in dictating the best possible way to ensure that the spread of the disease is put under control.
“We note that many staff of the Lagos State health ministry sacrificed themselves to ensure that the disease did not spread farther than it did. We note that before any other person or sector could react, Lagos has mapped out strategies for the control of Ebola, set out facilities for the treatment and quarantine of Ebola victims and deployed the staff of its health and allied ministries to battle the novel disease and its fallouts.
“We note that these were just possible because over the years, the proactive government in Lagos has established a viable and responsive health sector and format that has risen to the health needs of 21 million Lagosians today.”
Mr. Igbokwe said the party gives kudos to the Fashola led APC government in the state for its role in achieving the feat that ensured the declaration of Nigeria as Ebola free. It also added that if the “…dreaded disease berthed elsewhere, Nigeria would have been grappling with an unmitigated disaster in its hands today”.
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