The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Maryam Katagum, reportedly slumped at an official event in Bauchi.
Katagum, who was in Bauchi to induct an empowerment program on Monday at the NAADI office, Sani Mallam Shopping Plaza located on the Ahmadu Bello Way, was said to have suddenly collapsed as she tried to deliver her speech.
It was reported that photos from the event showed the minister seated with the state Deputy Governor, Senator Baba Tela.
She was immediately rushed by officials to the Trauma Centre of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital for medical attention.
It was later discovered that the minister, who hails from Bauchi State, had been in the state since Saturday and featured in a live program on Globe FM radio on Sunday and had other personal engagements in the state.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that when Katagum got to the venue of the event, she looked withdrawn and touched her head occasionally as the program went on.
Another eyewitness said that the minister slumped as she stood up to deliver her address and induct the program, saying, “She (Katagum) just held her head and went down flat. Her aides and other officials quickly intervened and rushed her to the hospital.”
A Bauchi resident, simply identified as Yakubu, who was seen coming out of the center, confirmed that the minister was indeed in the center.
He said, “ I even saw her police orderly sitting at the reception.
“There’s a section of the hospital that is an exclusive area, more like a VIP section, that is where she is. She was admitted to the Trauma Centre and is on admission there.”
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer, ATBUTH, Aminu Bomboyo, about the incident he declined to comment.
Ada Peter
