MEANWHILE… Surgery, back pain, ear trouble: Sickness hits Buhari’s cabinet

The federal executive council (FEC) meeting turned into a prayer session on Wednesday as those in attendance made supplications for President Muhammadu Buhari and three ministers, who are seeking medical attention.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who presided over the meeting, directed Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, to offer the Muslim opening prayer, and Babachir Lawal, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), to say Christian prayer.

While Mohammed prayed for God to give the FEC members wisdom to take good decisions, Lawal’s focus was on those who were indisposed.

According to him, the three ministers are Aisha Alhassan (women affairs), Adamu Adamu (education), and Ibrahim Jibril (state for environment).

While Buhari is in London to see specialist over nose, ear and throat infection, Alhassan is said to be undergoing orthopedic treatment in the US, and Adamu is recuperating from back pain.

Lawal was about rounding off his prayers when ministers reminded him of Jibril, and he said: “Yes let’s pray for him too.”

The meeting started at 12:06pm, and it had 22 ministers of the 36 ministers in attendance.