/ 22 June 1999

NIGERIAN MINISTER DEPRESSED

THE man widely tipped to become Nigeria’s new defence minister, Theophilus Danjuma, has been treated in France for clinical depression, diplomats said at the weekend. Danjuma, a former chief of defence staff, flew to France this month for the treatment after suffering a breakdown, and is recovering, the sources said. Danjuma, a close adviser of president Olusegun Obasanjo, was under considerable pressure ahead of the return to civilian rule on May 29, a member of his family told the Monday edition of the newspaper This Day. The retired lieutenant-general will be back in the country soon, the family member said, citing the paper referring to an unnamed “ailment”. Danjuma’s nomination as a member of the new government comes up for screening by the 109-member senate this week. If passed, he is expected to be given the defence portfolio.