By Latiifah Amusan
The Minister of Tourism in Nigeria, Lola Ade-John, has been hospitalized at the Federal Medical Centre in Abuja after suffering from acute poisoning of unknown origins.
This alarming incident has prompted the Nigerian Police to launch a full-scale investigation.
According to sources close to the minister’s family, Lola Ade-John, aged 60, began exhibiting symptoms of poisoning and was promptly rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Jabi.
As of Friday morning, she has spent four days at the medical facility and reportedly requires a machine to assist with her breathing.
The exact substance ingested and the circumstances surrounding the poisoning remain unclear.
Despite efforts to seek information from both the police and the State Security Service, there has been no immediate response regarding ongoing investigations.
This distressing situation has also raised concerns within the family, particularly regarding where the minister should receive treatment.
The Permanent Secretary of her ministry, Ngozi Onwudike, has apparently advocated for her to remain at the public hospital, emphasizing that it would not impose significant costs on the government.
However, the family disagrees, expressing a desire to move her to a better-equipped private facility downtown.
Financial constraints have kept them at the public hospital for now.
Lola Ade-John was appointed as a minister by President Bola Tinubu in August and was seen as an unconventional choice due to her background as a career banker and tech investor.
