Nigerian Tourism Minister, Lola Ade-John, has been hospitalized in Abuja after suffering from acute poisoning of unknown origins. The 60-year-old minister was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Jabi when she began showing severe symptoms of poisoning, as reported by family sources familiar with her situation. As of Friday morning, she has spent four days at the medical facility.
Sources close to the situation have revealed that Lola Ade-John, a career banker and tech investor, is currently reliant on a breathing machine. The details regarding the specific substance she ingested and the circumstances of her poisoning remain unclear.
Despite the gravity of the situation, both the police and the State Security Service have yet to confirm whether any investigations have been initiated into the matter. This lack of action has intensified tensions within her family.
The permanent secretary of her ministry, Ngozi Onwudike, has reportedly disagreed with the family on whether Ade-John should continue receiving treatment at a public hospital or be transferred to a better-equipped private facility. Onwudike argued that the Federal Medical Centre is a public hospital and would not burden the government with substantial charges. However, Ade-John's family rejected this stance, as they were unable to secure the funds needed for a private hospital transfer.
Efforts to reach the permanent secretary for comment were unsuccessful at the time of this report. Similarly, a spokesperson for the Federal Medical Centre has not yet provided any statements regarding Lola Ade-John's condition.
Lola Ade-John, who was appointed as a minister by President Bola Tinubu in August, had garnered attention for being one of the few cabinet members chosen from outside the political beltway. Her return to Nigeria to serve as a minister followed years of residing in London.
This incident has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, and further developments are eagerly awaited as the investigation unfolds.
