FINANCE minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has revealed shocking details of how she has survived cancer and battled on with her public life despite having to undergo several surgical operations. 

Speaking yesterday during the service of songs of presidential aide Oronto Douglas, Dr Okonjo-Iweala stunned mourners by revealing that she had survived cancer after being diagnosed with the ailment 15 years ago. Mr Douglas who died of cancer earlier this month, aged 49, was President Goodluck Jonathan's special adviser on research and strategy. 

At yesterday's service of songs in Abuja attended by a cross section of society, President Jonathan was represented by Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the secretary to the government of the federation. Also in attendance were former Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi and Pastor Tunde Bakare who brought greetings from president-elect General Muhammadu Buhari. 

Former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission chairman Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, also attended, as did senator-elect Ben Murray Bruce and the deputy managing director of Thisday, Kayode Komolafe. Tributes from several speakers centered on how Mr Douglas built bridges across political divides but it was Dr Okonjo-Iweala who stunned everyone with her revelation. 

Dr Okonjo-Iweala said: “Oronto and I had two similarities in life, we both had cancer. I had my last surgery 15 years ago and I shared my experience with him.” 

Tributes also came from former Bayelsa State governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Dr Sam Amadi, the chairman of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, Reverend Nnimmo Bassey, Yinka Odumakin and Ken Saro Wiwa. An environmental lawyer, Mr Douglas used to be a champion of the deprived communities in the Niger Delta before following President Jonathan into government.