Minister slumps at Bauchi function

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Maryam Yalwaji Katagun, slumped at an official function in Bauchi State on Monday.

The minister, who was in Bauchi to launch an empowerment programme, slumped when she tried to deliver her speech at the ceremony which had the Deputy Governor, Senator Baba Tela, in attendance.

She was immediately evacuated to the Trauma Centre of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa

University Teaching Hospital (ATBU-TH).

“She just held her head and slumped suddenly while officials hastened to get her to hospital,” a witness said.

Daily Trust gathered that the minister, who has been in Bauchi since Saturday, featured in a live programme on Globe FM radio on Sunday.

Effort made to get official update on her situation at the Trauma Centre of ATBU-TH, where she is receiving medical attention proved abortive.

However, a source told Daily Trust that the Chief Medical Director of ATBU-TH, Dr Yusuf Jibrin Bara, had taken the minister to the Amenity Ward in the hospital.

“Her medical challenge was mild. The CMD took the minister to the Amenity Ward in his personal vehicle. She is right now in stable condition because I entered the Ward and had a brief chat with her. She didn’t show any signs of sickness. She was eating some fruits and talking to people around,” the source in the hospital said.

A senior government official told newsmen that as soon as the situation improved the minister would be flown to Abuja for further medical attention.