I Am A Cancer Survivor – Okonjo-Iweala

Oronto Douglas
Oronto Douglas

Nigeria’s Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has won on several fronts, including overseeing the rebasing of Nigeria’s economy to make it the largest in Africa. Before joining the Nigerian government, she was a Managing Director at World Bank and she narrowly missed the global lender’s presidency now occupied by Jim Yong Kim. But one thing many people do not know about her is that she also survived cancer.

Speaking 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, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said she had cancer just like Oronto did.

“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.

The service was attended by a cross section of the society from civil society, government, the media, the clergy among others.

Tributes also came from former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa State, Dr. Sam Amadi, chairman National Electricity Regulatory Commission, Rev. Nnimmo Bassey, Yinka Odumakin, among others.

Also in attendance were Kayode Fayemi, former Ekiti State Governor and Pastor Tunde Bakare.

Douglas died on April 9 after losing his battle with cancer.