Former Editor. Nigerian Ambassador suffers stroke in Canada, wife appeals for help
By Omolade Adegbuyi
A former Nigerian Ambassador to Togo, Mr Debo Adesina has suffered stroke while visiting his children in Canada.
Adesina was also former Editor and later Editor-In-Chief of The Guardian Newspapers.
Irohinoodua was informed that not less than 205,000 has been spent on his medical bills.
An appeal letter written by his wife,Oluyemisi called on friends and associates to assist the former envoy.
“I write to you with a deeply heavy heart to seek your urgent support and assistance at a very difficult and critical moment for my family.
My husband, Debo Adesina, former Nigerian Ambassador to Togo and former Editor-in-Chief of one of Nigeria’s foremost newspapers, travelled to Canada on 24 June 2026 to visit our children. Tragically, on 9 July 2026, he suffered a massive stroke and has remained hospitalized in Canada ever since,” Oluyemisi wrote in the letter of appeal.
She said Adesina spent more than a month in the Intensive Care Unit from 9 July to 11 August, after which he was transferred to the General Hospital, where he remains under medical care.
She said by God’s grace, and after a prolonged period in an induced coma, he gradually began to come out of the coma but that his condition remains very serious, and requires intensive medical attention and care.
“We remain hopeful and prayerful for his recovery.Unfortunately, the prolonged hospitalization has resulted in an enormous and rapidly increasing financial burden. The outstanding medical bills had exceeded CAD $205,000 as at 24 August 2026, and the costs continue to accumulate.”
She said the situation has become particularly distressing because the family have been informed that the hospital has raised concerns regarding the continuation of his care unless arrangements are made towards the outstanding medical expenses.
“It is against this background that I am reaching out personally to friends, former colleagues, professional associates, political associates, and others whose lives or careers Debo may have touched in one way or another over the years,” Oluyemi wrote.
She said “Many of you know Debo in different capacities—as a journalist and Editor-in-Chief, a public intellectual, a diplomat, a colleague, a friend, a professional associate, an aburo or simply someone with whom you have shared a significant part of your journey.”
She said at this particularly vulnerable moment in his life, “I am humbly asking you to stand with him and with our family.Any financial contribution, no matter the amount, will make a meaningful difference towards meeting his mounting medical expenses and helping us secure the continued care that he urgently needs.”
She said if anyone is able to support the family, she should be contacted directly for details on how contributions can be made.
“We would also be deeply grateful if you could share this appeal with others who know him and may be willing to assist.
“This is not an easy appeal for me to make. But at a time when every effort counts and every day of medical care matters, I have had to put aside my personal reservations and reach out to the people who have known, worked with and interacted with my husband over the years.”
She wrote “We are trusting God for his recovery, and we are also trusting in the compassion and generosity of those who have been part of his journey.
“On behalf of our children and the entire family, I thank you sincerely for your prayers, your concern, your encouragement and, most importantly at this time, whatever assistance you are able to provide.”
Mrs Adesina could be contacted through
Tel: +1 (365) 341-2173
Email: [email protected]
