Nigeria Defense Minister Slumps At Armed Forces Remembrance Day

The Minister of State for Defence, Mrs. Olusola Obada, Tuesday according to a report in allafrica.com, caused a stir as she slumped at the celebration of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Abuja where President Goodluck Jonathan, along with other top government officials and members of the diplomatic corps had gathered to honour Nigeria's fallen heroes.

The ceremony included a 21-gun salute, playing of the Last Post, a minute's silence, laying of wreaths and releasing pigeons, as a mark of peace, took place at the National Arcade Three Arms Zone, Abuja.

This could be as a result of her been exhausted after standing in the scorching sun with the service chiefs and other dignitaries for about four hours and the unexpected booms of artillery gunfire at the occasion, she had to be assisted by aides who led her to a seat.

However, in a swift reaction to the report, the minister, through her media aide, Mr. Femi Adefila, denied that she slumped or fell during the ceremony. The minister went on to lay the wreath about five minutes later, saw off the president and was able to speak to journalists afterwards.

Source: Allafrica.com