Chidi Samuel || President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday directed that Nigeria’s former vice president and elder statesman, Dr. Alex Ekwueme be flown abroad for immediate medical attention.
The former vice president is currently on admission at a private hospital in Enugu, South East, Nigeria following a fall at his home last Saturday.
The news of Ekwueme’s ill health was first brought to limelight by Punch and the family later issued a statement to confirm the hospitalisation of the former peoples democratic party’s presidential candidate.
Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu, said President Buhari gave the order after he was briefed on the medical condition of the former vice-president.
According to Shehu, the Presidential approval would cover the cost of chartering an air ambulance for the journey and that of his treatment.
The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate medical treatment of former Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, outside the country.”
“The approval followed a brief the president received Friday on the medical condition of the former vice-president.
“The approval covers the immediate charter of an air ambulance for the emergency movement and the cost of treatment.
“President Buhari prays that God will grant the elder statesman speedy recovery.”