A former editor-in-chief of The Guardian newspapers, Mr Debo Adesina, is currently down with stroke which he suffered from during his visit to his wife and children in Canada.
Mr Adesina is also Nigeria’s former ambassador to Togo during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a Save Our Soul letter written to President Bola Tinubu by his wife, Mrs Oluyemisi Adesina, the veteran journalist was said to be in a critical condition and had just recovered from a coma as a result of the stroke.
The letter reads: “My husband, Adebowale (Debo) Adesina, former Nigerian Ambassador to Togo and former Editor-in-Chief of one of Nigeria’s foremost newspapers, travelled to Canada on the 24th of June 2026 to visit our children and me. Tragically, on the 9th of July, 2026, he suffered a massive stroke and has remained hospitalised in Canada ever since.
“He spent more than a month in the Intensive Care Unit, from the 9th of July to 11th of August 2026, at Trillium Hospital, Mississauga, before being transferred to Etobicoke General Hospital, where he remains under medical care to this day.
“By the grace of God, and following a prolonged period in an induced coma, Debo is gradually beginning to emerge from the coma. His condition, however, remains very serious, and he continues to require intensive medical attention, monitoring and care. We remain hopeful and prayerful for his full recovery.
“This prolonged hospitalisation has placed an enormous and rapidly increasing financial burden on our family. As of the 24th of August, 2026, the outstanding medical bills had exceeded $205,000 Canadian Dollar and the expenses continue to accumulate every day.
“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.
“It is against this deeply painful background that I am reaching out personally to you, Mr. President, because you know Debo in different capacities—as a journalist and Editor-in-Chief, a public intellectual, a diplomat, an aburo, and as someone with whom you have shared a relationship over the years. At this particularly vulnerable moment in his life, I am humbly appealing to you sir, to stand with him and with our family.
“The financial assistance will help us meet his mounting medical expenses and, most importantly, secure the continued medical care that he urgently needs. I would be deeply grateful if you could kindly contact me directly for details on how any contribution or assistance may be provided.
“Your Excellency, this is not an easy appeal for me to make. As a wife and mother, I have had to put aside my personal reservations and reach out to the people who have known, worked with, respected and interacted with my husband throughout the different chapters of his life and service.
“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.
“We continue to place our trust in God for Debo’s recovery. At the same time, we are trusting in your compassion, goodwill and generosity towards his journey and being able to stand with our family at this critical hour.
“On behalf of our children and the entire family, I express my profound gratitude for your concern, encouragement and, most importantly at this time, whatever assistance you may be able to provide. May God Almighty bless you richly, strengthen you, and reward you for standing with us in this difficult hour.”
