Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Reveals She is a Cancer Survivor

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.

Ngozi spoke at the service of songs for the late Oronto Douglas, special adviser to the president that held in Abuja last night. Narrating how she repeatedly sought to encourage him using her triumph over the disease, 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, 

Ngozi had said the period was a rough time of her life in another interview:

''For three years I had two surgeries, chemo for months, radio, you name it and my husband said to me at the time: You know those with an optimistic approach are the ones that survive.”

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.