Diezani Alison-Madueke’s ‘cancer’ look draws sympathy

Eromosele Ebhomele

The  photograph confirming that Nigeria’s former  Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke is indeed battling with cancer is eliciting sympathies from even her critics in the social media.

Controversial Alison-Madueke has not returned to Nigeria after she jetted out in the same aircraft with President Muhammadu Buhari just weeks after the latter won the 2015 presidential election.
The former Minister is also finding it hard convincing Nigerians that she is actually innocent of the allegation that she stole about $20 billion dollars as minister in the Ministry of Petroleum, where some of the highest levels of corruption allegedly took place in the last government.

The photograph, first published by Ovation Magazine Publisher, Dele Momodu, shows beautiful  Mrs. Alison-Madueke, looking old with wrinkled skin and hair loss, supposedly from undergoing chemotherapy.

Since the photographs emerged, Nigerians have reacted, especially on Twitter where some believe it is a lesson that life is vanity.

Through @ChatWithWilson, one of those who reacted on Twitter, said: “seeing the recent pics of Diezani Alison-Madueke is humanly quite saddening. But there are lessons to learn from it all.”

Emy Mabs, who tweets at @EmmyMabs, was spiritual in his sympathy. “She needs our prayer…See Diezani Alison-Madueke’s current look,” he said just as @DamilareAgoro said: ” (I) can’t believe this’s Diezani! I still feel for her even if truly she stole Nigeria’s money.”

Another respondent, @Tbabz, said: “Diezani has cancer indeed. She wasn’t lying at all while OlisaOsega expressed disbelief saying: “God! I can’t believe what I’m seeing. Is this Diezani?”

Reacting, a respondent with the handle: @blessberrie, said she was in tears looking at the photograph while @queen_nickki said: “Diezani is actually dying. OMG!”

Tweeting through @Harieson, a respondent said: “asides the Paris attacks, I got freaked out by that picture of Diezani Madueke. I’m all curled up right now, struggling to believe she’s the one.”

Adeola Fayehun prayed: “may God grant her quick recovery!”

Sir Jeffry expressed shock. “Nnaa mehn, this cancer na devil oo. See as it has transformed the once pretty Diezani to a grandma. God abeg oo, heal and restore her to normalcy.”

In a reaction, @InnaRooney said: “I don’t think I will celebrate Diezani’s sickness because I know not how I will end up. If you can’t wish her well don’t pray for her worse.”

In his reaction, @forakin said: “for all her misdeeds, in the face of personal struggles, this is no time to gawp over pictures of the stricken, we are all vulnerable.

But @linusNoni sees the recent photograph as propaganda. He said: “propaganda setting in. Diezani’s pictures to soon be on net; she looks weak. Wish her speedy recovery but that not should stop any investigation.”

@tosinadeda said: “unfortunately stolen funds can’t save anybody!”

Reacting to the photographs, Uncle Mide, with Twitter handle: @babydot4u, said: “seriously, Diezani Alison-Madueke??!!!! Is this how you want to play the game??? Nigerians are watching…I don’t trust politicians.”

One of the responders also said: “in all we do friends, don’t forget; life isn’t about how much we amassed, but how much lives we touched. She didn’t help anyone, even church members at a point all cut her off in their minds!”

For one of the responders who simply calls himself Elslim, Nigerians must not be fooled. He believes the photograph is the result of make-over.

For Paulpaulpaul, there should be no sympathy. “Nonsense, how many people died of ordinary malaria because she stole the country dry? It’s left for God to finalise her case oh. I’m indifferent about her look; not happy: not sad.”
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone, powered by Easyblaze