Australia commits N8.7 million to tackle Ebola outbreak in Nigeria

Towards tacking the deadly outbreak, the government yesterday disclosed in Abuja that the Australian Government says it has contributed ₦ 8.7 million to the Nigeria Ebola Virus Emergency Appeal launched by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

A statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Australian High Commission in Abuja, said the donation would assist in purchasing vital personal protection equipment for health workers combating the deadly disease.
The Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Jonathan Richardson, was quoted as saying that the funds would be used to improve training in epidemic control techniques for Red Cross volunteers.

Richardson also said it would help to spread good messages on health education and hygiene promotion across the country.
The statement by the High Commission explained that the funds came from the country’s Direct Aid Programme, which had already committed seven million dollars to tackle the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

The Nigeria Ebola Virus Emergency Appeal was launched by the IFRC on Aug. 11, to help deal with the growing threat of Ebola to Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the majority of Australia’s contribution to prevent the spread of Ebola has been through the World Health Organisation (WHO), in addition to the 17.5 million dollars it provides annually to support the WHO’s global health activities. (NAN)

Samir Nasri not fit to play Hull City game

Injury concern for Pellegrini, has his side battles Hull in their pursuit to retain the Premier legue.

Samir Nasri will miss Manchester City’s trip to Hull City on Saturday because of a groin injury, with Stevan Jovetic and Fernando also still unavailable due to their respective problems. Manuel Pellegrini takes his team to Hull having yet to win a league match in September, with the 3-1 defeat of Liverpool on 26 August the champions’ previous victory.

Of the injured trio – Jovetic has a hamstring injury, Fernando a hurt pelvis – the manager said: “Jovetic and Fernando are out. They will be ready next week. Nasri also has a groin problem. Agüero and Silva are OK.”

The last two missed Wednesday evening’s 7-0 win against Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup and Pellegrini added that Saturday will be a tougher test.“I think that Hull is a difficult team playing well,” he said. “Last year, Vincent Kompany was sent off in the first 10 minutes, we played really well and won. I hope this year we can do it in the same way but we am sure we are going find a very tough team in their home because they always play very strong, especially in aerial duels.”

Pellegrini said the Sheffield Wednesday game had proved very useful. “We were not scoring too many goals here at home. In the last four games, we didn’t win our games. We were not playing bad but we did not win so it was important to win in the way we did on Wednesday and I hope this can continue in the future, especially against Hull because in the Premier League we cannot drop more points.”

Pellegrini believes City are now beginning to find their true form. “I think we are starting. For all the team it is good not to drop points near the beginning because finally you are going to win or lose the Premier League by just one point. But for the moment, I think we are not worried.”