The Role of Ebonyi State Government in Combating the COVID-19 Pandemic
Conference: The 23rd Annual International Conference of the Igbo Studies Association (ISA) (2026)
Presenter(s): Mbele, Sunday H.
Tags: Conference 2026
Abstract
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Nigeria prompted decision-making at various levels of governance. Ebonyi State Government in South-eastern Nigeria, under the leadership of His Excellency, Engr. Chief Dave Nweze Umahi closed the borders with neighboring states as a preventive measure to curb the spread of the pandemic. This study assessed the effectiveness and challenges of border closures and surveillance in controlling the spread of the pandemic's spread across states. Information on movement restrictions and surveillance at the five major borders of Ebonyi with its neighboring states of Enugu, Cross River, and Abia was collected using an observation checklist and key informant interviews, and the data were analyzed using IBM SPSS and thematic analysis. Commuters on essential duty were required to wear face masks, practice hand hygiene, and undergo screening for COVID-19 symptoms before entering the state.
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