How I Survived Cancer, By Okonjo-lweala

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.