The SGF made the revelation while saying the opening prayer at the beginning of a meeting of the Federal Executive Council meeting.
On arrival of the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo who presided over the meeting at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the vice president asked the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to offer Islamic prayer while he asked Lawal to say the Christian prayer.
After Mohammed had prayed, asking God to grant the cabinet members wisdom as they make national decisions at the meeting, the SGF on his own part, asked God to be with the President who he said was on “medical vacation.”
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He then proceeded to name ministers who he said were indisposed and asked God to heal them.
Lawal started with the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Aisha Alhassan, who he said “is recuperating in US after a surgery,” and went on to mention the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who he said “is down with back pain.”
Shortly after he concluded his prayer, the SGF was reminded that he did not mention the Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibril.
Lawal quickly added Jibril’s name to his list of sick cabinet members. He however did not disclose the nature of Jibril’s sickness.
Buhari, on Monday, left Nigeria for London on a 10-day vacation during which he is scheduled to see Ear, Nose and Throat doctors as recommended by his physician.