Defence Minister Obada Faints At Parade Ground

Mrs Obada Being Helped After Slumping Yesterday

Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, yesterday slumped at the venue of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, in Abuja following a barrage of artillery fire by the Army to celebrate the event.

• The deafening boom from of 21-gun salute by artillery fire began suddenly and caused a scare among the dignitaries at the venue.
  The minister slumped into the hands of her military aides who took her aside after which she regained consciousness.
  It was gathered that the firing of artillery pieces at such events is usually preceded by an announcement but that was not the case yesterday before the guns went off. After she was revived, the minister later came out to lay a wreath.
  Later on in the afternoon, Obada, who looked hale and hearty, was in the State House with the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala when President Goodluck Jonathan met with visiting Vice President of the World Bank, Murkhtar Diop.
  The President had led other top government officials to lay wreaths in commemoration of this year’s Remembrance Day.
  The Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration is an annual event to recognise and appreciate military heroes who lost their lives in the cause of fighting to defend the sovereignty of the nation.
  The event, held at the National Arcade within Three Arms Zone, Abuja witnessed a parade by officers of the Nigeria Army, the Navy, the Air Force and men of the Nigerian Legion.