Abuja—A rare insight into the past physical challenge of the
coordinating minister of the economy and minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala emerged yesterday when she disclosed that she survived
cancer 15 years ago affirming the scare is not the end of life.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
She
spoke at the service of songs for the late Oronto Douglas, special
adviser to the president on research and documentation that held in
Abuja last night.
The service was attended by a cross section of the society from civil society, government, the media, the clergy among others.
President
Goodluck Jonathan was represented by Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, at the service which
remarkably brought together his associates from both sides of the
political divide including former Governor Kayode Fayemi, Pastor Tunde
Bakare who brought greetings from General Muhammadu Buhari, ministers,
former chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Mallam
Nuhu Ribadu, Senator-Elect Ben Murray Bruce, deputy managing director
of Thisday, Mr. Kayode Komolafe among several others.
In her
remarks at the occasion, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said: “Oronto and I had two
similarities in life, we both had cancer. I had my last surgery, 15
years ago and I shared my experience with him,” she said, narrating how
she repeatedly sought to encourage him using her triumph over the
disease.
Tributes from several speakers centered on how Oronto
built bridges across political divides. Dr. Fayemi, Hon Uche Onyeogocha
leading members of the All Progressives Congress, APC spoke in that
direction and they were buttressed by Pastor Bakare.
Tributes
also came from former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa State,
Dr. Sam Amadi, chairman National Electricity Regulatory Commission,
Rev. Nnimmo Bassey, Yinka Odumakin, Ken Saro Wiwa among others.
what do think?





No comments:
Post a Comment