The tourism minister of Nigeria, Lola Ade-John is in critical condition at an Abuja hospital due to acute poisoning of unknown origin. On Friday, Peoples Gazette reported, citing family sources. The Gazette notes that the minister had been rushed to Federal Medical Centre, Jabi. On Friday morning, it was learned that she had been there for four days.
It was further reported that Ms Ade-John, a professional banker and tech investor, has been using a breathing machine. Reports were unable to immediately determine what she had consumed or how she had consumed it. When asked whether or not an investigation had been launched, neither the police nor the State Security Service responded immediately.
The permanent secretary of her ministry reportedly has a difference of opinion with the family over whether she should continue treatment at a public hospital or be transferred to a better-equipped private facility downtown, further pitting the family against the government as her health deteriorates.
It has been reported that permanent secretary Ngozi Onwudike argued against the minister's transfer, citing the fact that the FMC is a public hospital and therefore would not generate significant revenue for the government. However, this argument was rejected by the minister's family, who have remained with her as they could not raise funds to move her to a private hospital. On Friday morning, a call to the office of the permanent secretary went unanswered.
In August, President Bola Tinubu appointed Ade-John as minister. She quickly gained attention as one of the few appointed cabinet members who did not come from the traditional political establishment. She had been living in London for quite some time when the president asked her to return and serve.
