Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan received unplanned medical treatment in London on Thursday after he “became indisposed” and was forced to miss a scheduled meeting, his spokesman said.
Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who travelled to
London early Wednesday – his 56th birthday – to attend an investors’
forum, was on a bed rest all day on his doctors’ advice.
He missed the opening ceremony of
Nigeria’s Honorary International Investors’ Council (HIIC), his absence
raising eyebrows. But his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Reuben
Abati announced the President’s indisposition in a terse statement,
which did not state the nature of the ailment, where he is being treated
or whether he was admitted in the hospital or simply resting in his
London abode.
The statement simply said: “In the
course of his on-going visit to London for a meeting of Nigeria’s
Honorary International Investors’ Council, President Goodluck Jonathan
became indisposed and could not be present at the opening of the meeting
today.
“President Jonathan has since been examined by competent medical practitioners. He has been advised to rest for a few days.
“The Presidency wishes to assure all
Nigerians that President Jonathan’s condition is nothing serious and
that the medical attention he has sought is only precautionary.”
Dr. Jonathan was absent at Wednesday’s
Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which coincided with his
birthday. He had travelled to London.
During the meeting, Vice President Namadi Sambo led the rain of tributes to mark the President’s birthday.
A huge card was sent to him by members of the FEC through the vice president.
Later in the night, a photograph of the
President with Sambo and other top government officials cutting the
birthday cake – apparently before his departure for London – was
released by the President’s media office
Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, on his twitter handle, wished the President well.
He twitted: “Our hearts and prayers are with President Goodluck Jonathan. Ouick recovery, Mr. President.”
This is the first time Dr. Jonathan has
been absent from official duty on account of illness since 2010 when he
came into office, first as acting president and as President after the
death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in office on May 5, 2010.
The late President Yar ‘Adua suffered a protracted heart ailment and was treated in Germany and Saudi Arabia before his death.
Nigeria’s Honourary International
Investors’ Council is co-ordinated by former British Minister Baroness
Lynda Chalker. The meeting is meant to generate long-term affordable
finance for Nigeria’s real sector to facilitate the development of
Nigeria’s private equity and venture capital sectors and to attract more
foreign investments.
The meeting of the council is also to
feature a review of Nigeria’s existing investment policies by the
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Paris-based
international organisation dedicated to the promotion of policies that
will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the
world.
Members of the council include the CEO
of the Investment Corporation of Dubai, Mr. Mohammed al Shaibani, a
former South African Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr. Alec Erwin, the
Vice President of Hewlett-Packard’s Enterprise Group in Europe,
Middle-East and Africa, Mr. Olivier Suinat, a former Prime Minister of
Pakistan, Mr. Shaukat Aziz and the Director of Shell’s International
Upstream Business, Mr. Andrew Brown.
President Jonathan was accompanied by
Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Borno State Governor Kashim
Shettima, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, Senator Nenadi Usman, Hon. Sylvester
Ogbaga, Hon. Isiaka Bawa and the Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy
and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Also on the trip are the Minister of
Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, Central Bank of
Nigeria Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Minister of Petroleum Resources
Diezani Allison-Madueke and Minister of Communications Technology Mrs.
Omobola Johnson.
The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu
Nebo, the Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, the Minister
of State I (Foreign Affairs), Prof. Viola Onwuliri and heads of
relevant government agencies were also on the trip, according to a
statement from the Presidency.
The delegation is expected back in Abuja at the weekend.
Jonathan, who turned 56 on Wednesday, is not publicly known to be suffering from any serious medical conditions.
He assumed the presidency in 2010 following the death of his predecessor Musa Yar’Adua.
Yar’Adua’s protracted illness, details of which were kept from the public, sparked a months-long political crisis in Africa’s most populous country. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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GET WELL SOON MR PRESIDENT.
ReplyDeleteMr. President you will be heal in Jesus name
ReplyDeleteAnybody can fall ill at any day. So what is a big deal?
ReplyDeleteMake una de pray well wel.
ReplyDeleteKilomental people (sentimental Nigerians)
It is well with your soul Mr. president.
ReplyDeleteAlmighty Allah will grant you sound health required for the tasks of people of your caliber Sir! Get well quickly GEJ! We need you in sound health. I also pray that God in his infinite mercy continue to protect you and given you sound health! Amen!
ReplyDeleteGet well soon Mr President.
ReplyDeleteMr president you have been healed in jesus name Amen
ReplyDeleteAs we pray for you Sir,,, GOD will continue to be your strength...
ReplyDeleteGet well wishes to de best democratic president in nigeria, ur healed in JESUS name amen.
ReplyDeleteu wl soon die
ReplyDeleteWhen he has the time, do you think he could address the problems his citizens face everyday.
DeleteAmerica, Israel, and Now London, all in the space of one month.
You are a disgrace to your country. Badluck Jonathon.
Look at the price of Bullet Proof Cars while you are in England.
Excess ogogoro during the birthday celebration
ReplyDeleteyou are Healed in Jesus Name Amen
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 1.40am, you will die b4 mr GEJ in jesus name and u wil bow ur head in shame.tim pauls
ReplyDeleteGet well soon Mr. President.
ReplyDeletePeace be still in your life President Jonathan
ReplyDeleteAnonymous @ 1:40AM, are u ok? Remember what you wish others has a way of coming back to you, so b careful. Mr President I wish you a quick recovery.
ReplyDeleteU soon dis fool GEJ
ReplyDeleteGEJ I wish u dead' wicked goat
ReplyDeleteIt is well with your body and soul... Pls we need you in good health
ReplyDeleteI wish u soonest recovery.
ReplyDeleteYOU ARE HEAL GOD'S PROTECTION IS UPON YOU.
ReplyDeleteGod will heal u speedily IJN and shame to ur enemies.
ReplyDeleteHey GEJ!, the Lord is your strength. U̶̲̥̅̊ shall not die but live to declare d Glory of God. Get well soon sir. Wishing you Happy Birthday, LLNP!.
ReplyDeleteHe wasn't really sick, he just got drunk and he will get over it but as president dem no fit just leave am make e dey vomit
ReplyDeleteHe wasn't really sick, he just got drunk and he will get over it but as president dem no fit just leave am make e dey vomit
ReplyDeletewhat is the need for this large entourage with Mr President? Minister of THIS, Minister of That, Governor this, Governor that? at the end of the day what does it translate to? if not just wasting Tax payers Money? all the other Dignitaries at Event did they come with these Battalion of Officials from their respective countries? Oga Jona just dey waste the resources okay.....Posterity will judge you surely
ReplyDeleteHope is not due to his fear of facing d congregation of eminent investors abroad?
ReplyDeleteReceive ur healing my President,in Jesus name
ReplyDeleteMay the almighty God grant u healing to the glory of his name and may he give u the grace to face the task ahead of u in this our wicked world IJN Amen.
ReplyDeleteBetter for Nigeria if this man and his thieving friends disappear like Yar ‘Adua. May he never get Better. AMEN
ReplyDeleteIts well with u Gej. The Hand of God is upon u. No shaking.
ReplyDeleteare we really sure it is illness and not hangover?
ReplyDeleteWhy the bad wishes? It is obvious that those who do not wish our president well are either ignorant or stupid, or both. Please desist from making silly remarks about our elected president. NE management; where is the moderation? Please sensor such comments and ensure they do not get published....they add absolutely no value to the discourse.
ReplyDeleteAny one who steers the affairs of over 160 million people SURELY is a GREAT MAN. Some of these People are enough for someone to be perpetually on Headache, others Fever, Backache etc.
ReplyDeleteIn all of these, My Dear President, I wish you quick recovery and God's Continued upkeeping of your body and soul.
God bless Nigeria..brainall2@yahoo.de
badbelle people , can u do what he is doing, all u want his for him to die. are u god,who own ur life? do u know that u that wish him dead might not be able to see tomorrow, becareful because Jehovah liveth , long live our president. frm dele m
ReplyDeleteIt's a lie the president is not sick Just wondering why the president pulicity lie soo much, the president came specifically for medical checkup
ReplyDeletesickness will kill all dem money looters of Nija, ni agbara Jesu, Amin, awon oloriburukuu gbo gbo
ReplyDelete