Politics
Wife appeals to Tinubu for financial help as ex-Ambassador battles
THE wife of former Nigerian Ambassador to Togo, Adebowale ‘Debo’ Adesina, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to help offset the rising cost of her husband’s medical treatment in Canada.
Oluyemisi Debo-Adesina made the appeal in a letter to the president as the former diplomat and journalist continues to recover from a severe stroke that has kept him hospitalised for nearly two months.
Adesina, was a veteran journalist who rose to become Editor-in-Chief and Chief Operating Officer of The Guardian newspaper group before serving as Nigeria’s ambassador to Togo.
Adesina’s career spans journalism and diplomacy. He held several editorial positions at The Guardian, including Editor of the newspaper, before becoming its Editor-in-Chief. In 2020, the late President Muhammadu Buhari nominated him among Nigeria’s non-career ambassadors. The Senate subsequently confirmed his appointment, and he was posted to Togo.
According to the letter addressed to Tinubu, Adesina travelled to Canada on June 24, 2026, to visit his wife and children. He suffered a massive stroke on July 9 and was subsequently admitted to Trillium Hospital in Mississauga, where he spent more than a month in the intensive care unit.
He was later moved to Etobicoke General Hospital, where he remains under medical care.
His wife said Adesina is gradually recovering after spending an extended period in an induced coma, but his condition remains critical and requires continued medical attention and monitoring.
The prolonged treatment, she said, has also placed a heavy financial burden on the family.
She further noted that as of August 24, the outstanding hospital bill had risen above CAD $205,000, with additional expenses continuing to accumulate.
She said the hospital had also expressed concerns about continuing his treatment without arrangements being made to address the outstanding bills.
Appealing directly to Tinubu, the woman said the president knew her husband in several capacities, including as a journalist, editor-in-chief, public intellectual and diplomat.
She urged him to intervene at what she described as a particularly difficult period for the family.
She said any financial assistance would make a profound and meaningful difference, explaining that the support would help the family meet the mounting medical costs and ensure that her husband continues to receive the care he urgently needs.
Debo-Adesina said seeking assistance had not been easy but that the seriousness of her husband’s condition had compelled her to reach out to people who had known and worked with him throughout his career.
She appealed to the president to support the family while they continue to hope and pray for Adesina’s recovery.