By Ken Afor
The Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, is currently battling for her life at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, after she was allegedly poisoned from an unknown source.
Her chances of survival are minimal after spending four days at the hospital as of Friday morning, as Peoples Gazette reported.
According to the news outlets, “Her family members fear time was running against their efforts to save her life.
“Lola Ade-John, 60, was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, shortly after she started manifesting symptoms of her poisoning, according to family sources familiar with her ordeal. She has spent four days at the facility as of Friday morning.
“Ms Ade-John, a career banker and tech investor, has been on a machine to aid her breathing, our sources said. The specifics as to what substance she ingested and how could not be immediately established”.
The Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) have not commenced investigation into the matter, the platform stated.
Meanwhile, there are claims that her family are against the government following the refusal by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Ngozi Onwudike to transfer her to a private hospital for better treatment. She insisted that minister remain at the FMC in Jabi to save cost.
It further said, “Her worsening situation has further set the family against the government, with the permanent secretary of her ministry said to be in disagreement as to whether she should continue receiving treatment at a public hospital or be moved to a better-equipped private facility downtown.
“The permanent secretary, Ngozi Onwudike, was said to have insisted that the minister should not be transferred because the FMC is a public hospital and its services wouldn’t attract substantial charges to the government, a position her family rebuffed. But they remained with her as they could not raise funds to move her to a private hospital.”
Ms. Ade-John was among the ministers sworn in August. The 60-year-old holds a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Ibadan.
She is a seasoned information and technology expert and a leader in designing, integrating, deploying, and managing core systems for global banking institutions.
