Date: 20 June, 2026
By Jane Daniel
The Federal Government has appointed the Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, as a member of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Preparedness and Prevention.
The appointment was conveyed in an official communication from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who also chairs the task force.
According to the communication, Prof. Ugwu’s extensive experience in disease control and his frontline role during Nigeria’s successful containment of the 2014 Ebola outbreak informed his selection for the national assignment.
As a member of the task force, Ugwu will serve on committees responsible for border management, immigration control and disease surveillance, while the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) will provide overall technical coordination and leadership.
Prof. Ugwu has since accepted the appointment and was formally inaugurated into the task force at the Presidential Villa by the Chief of Staff to the President.
The appointment is seen as a recognition of Enugu State’s growing profile in healthcare delivery under the administration of Governor Peter Mbah, which has prioritised reforms and investments in the health sector.
Observers also note that Enugu’s strategic position as a transportation hub, with its international airport receiving passengers from various African countries and beyond, places the state among areas requiring heightened vigilance against the possible importation of infectious diseases.
The federal appointment is expected to further strengthen collaboration between the state and national authorities in safeguarding public health and enhancing preparedness against potential Ebola outbreaks.
