Oluyemisi Debo-Adesina, wife of former The Guardian Editor-in-Chief and ex-Nigerian Ambassador to Togo, Debo Adesina, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu for urgent financial support to offset her husband’s medical bills after he suffered a stroke in Canada.
In a letter addressed to the President on Sunday, she said the veteran journalist collapsed on July 9, just 15 days after arriving in Canada to visit her and their children, and has remained hospitalised since.
Mrs Debo-Adesina said her husband was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Trillium Hospital, Mississauga, from July 9 to August 11. He was later transferred to Etobicoke General Hospital, where he remains under medical care.
“By the grace of God, and following a prolonged period in an induced coma, Debo is gradually beginning to emerge from the coma,” she stated. “His condition, however, remains very serious, and he continues to require intensive medical attention, monitoring and care.”
She disclosed that the outstanding hospital bills had exceeded CAD $205,000 as of August 24, 2026, and were still increasing daily.
“This prolonged hospitalization has placed an enormous and rapidly increasing financial burden on our family,” she said. “The situation has become even more distressing as we have been informed that the hospital has raised concerns about the continuation of his care unless arrangements are made towards the outstanding medical expenses.”
Mrs Debo-Adesina appealed to President Tinubu, citing their long-standing relationship with him as a journalist, diplomat and public figure.
“It is against this deeply painful background that I am reaching out personally to you, Mr President,” she wrote.
“At a time when every effort counts, every contribution matters, and every day of medical care is precious, I am appealing to you in the hope that your compassion and intervention will help us through this extraordinarily difficult period.”
She requested that the President contact her directly for details on how assistance can be provided, adding that the family continues to trust in God for Mr Adesina’s full recovery.
