Just In: Minister poisoned in Abuja struggles for survival in hospital
Lola Ade-John, the minister of tourism for Nigeria, has reportedly been hospitalised in Abuja due to acute poisoning of unknown origin. According to the Peoples Gazette, which broke the news on Friday morning, September 29, 2023, "her family fears that time is running out for their efforts to save her life."
"According to family sources familiar with her ordeal, Lola Ade-John, 60, was hurried to the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, shortly after exhibiting poisoning symptoms. She has been at the facility for four days as of Friday morning, according to the portal, which added:
"According to our sources, Ms. Ade-John, a career banker and tech investor, has been using a breathing equipment. It was not immediately possible to determine what substance she consumed and how she did so.
According to the Gazette, the police and the Department of Security Service did not immediately respond to a request regarding whether or not an investigation had been launched.
"Her deteriorating condition has further alienated her family from the government, with the permanent secretary of her ministry reportedly in disagreement over whether she should continue receiving treatment at a public hospital or be transferred to a better-equipped private facility in downtown Los Angeles."
"According to her family, the permanent secretary, Ngozi Onwudike, insisted that the minister should not be transferred because the FMC is a public facility and its services would not generate substantial revenue for the government. According to our sources, they remained with her because they were unable to acquire enough money to transfer her to a private hospital. On Friday morning, the phone number for the permanent secretary was not working.
"A spokesperson for the FMC did not immediately respond to The Gazette's request for comment on Ms. Ade-John's condition.
President Bola Tinubu designated Ms. Ade-John as a minister in August. She was hailed as one of the few cabinet members appointed from outside the Beltway. She was based in London for years before she was asked to return to the nation to serve by the president."
