For most Nigerians who saw her at the National Conference address, which invariably has become her last to the confab, her voice was firm as always although the ailment may have given her some showdown on physical appearance.
As Nigerians prepare to give Prof. Akunyili a befitting burial on August 28, 2014, it’s important that Nigerians did not forget the woman reputed as Madam NAFDAC, due to her unprecedented active role as the former Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
ITRealms recalls that the immediate past Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Akunyili, died in Bangalore, Karnataka, India, at about 10am Nigerian time, which is 3pm Indian time. This came four weeks after she was flown to India for further treatment on Sunday, May 11, 2014, following her initial treatment in Abuja National Hospital.
ITRealms gathered that late Dora Akunyili passed on peacefully, surrounded by her husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili, and her brother, Dr. Francis Anayo Edemobi; both had travelled to India with her on May 11 and remained by her side until she drew her last breath.
Prof. Dora Akunyili, who was born on July 14, 1954, would have turned 60 by July 14, 2014 and is survived by her husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili, her siblings, her children, grandchildren and a host of relatives.
The Amazon passes on:
Also known as ‘The Amazon,’ Prof. Akunyili was a patriot whose love for Nigeria is immeasurable and served the country with all she had, irrespective of whatever risks was involved in doing so. Industry observers report that Prof. Akunyili throughout her life time took every assignment very seriously and worked judiciously to excel.
ITRealms recollect that even from the classroom at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) where she taught for a while before joining the Presidential (Special) Task Force (PTF), National Agency for Food & Drug Administration & Control (NAFDAC), Ministry of Information & Communications, Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation, and the on-going National Conference in Abuja.
However, in a press statement made available to ITRealms soon after by the immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, CON, who was with Prof. Akunyili in India a few days before her passage, entitled “Prof. (Mrs.) Dora Akunyili is dead.” which read in part:
The battle is over:
“On behalf of the Akunyili’s family, I wish to officially confirm the death of Prof. (Mrs.) Dora Nkem Akunyili, OFR, in a Specialist Cancer Hospital in India this morning at 10 am, Nigerian Time, after a two-year battle with cancer.
“In spite her illness, Prof. Akunyili was unwavering in her belief in a better Nigeria. That was why she defied her condition and was part of Anambra State Handover Committee and the National Conference.
“The last time I visited her in India, even when she needed all the prayers herself, she was full of concern for the abducted Chibok girls, security and other challenges facing the country and told me that she remained prayerful for the release of those girls and for God to help President Goodluck Jonathan to overcome all the challenges facing the Nation. She therefore urged all Nigerians to remain prayerful and committed to building a better society for our children. We all prayed together and I promised to be visiting her every month.
“We thank all those who remain fervent in prayers for her recovery and urge them to remain prayerful for the peaceful repose of her soul.”
Ada! Anambra will always love you - Obiano:
The Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano described Prof. Dora Akunyili as a shooting star, just as he expressed a deep sense of shock and sadness over the passage of the former Minister of Information and Communication.
According to the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Anambra State Governor, Mr. James Eze, late Dora Akunyili was a counterfeit drugs czar as a shooting star whose dazzling sparkles illuminated the universe while she lived.
“Dora was a meteor; a shooting star whose brilliant sparkles illuminated our universe all through her adult life. She led the life of one who had a foreboding that she did not have much time to spare. She carried a sense of mission and urgency in her approach to public life, leaving the quintessential Dora signature on every task she handled. Dora had no second thoughts on putting her life on the line once she had the courage of her own conviction. She was an Amazon; a fearless fighter who braved the traumatizing pain of the illness that claimed her to participate in some sessions of the on-going National Conference in Abuja. Humanity is poorer with her demise at a young age of 59,” Governor Obiano declared.
Recalling his last contact with Dr. Mrs Akunyili, the governor narrated how he had paid the ailing former minister a visit in a specialist hospital in Abuja along with his wife, Ebele, and made spirited efforts to assure her of the support of his government and the people of Anambra State.
“… Our thoughts are with the Akunyili family, Ndi Anambra and all Nigerians who knew and loved Dora in this moment of grief. We pray that Almighty God will grant us all the fortitude to bear this loss and the wisdom to live a life of meaning like Dora,” he said, insisting that in her death, the world had lost one of its rare tribe of crusaders whose little acts had sought to reshape it.
Dora: Jewel of my administration says OBJ:
For the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Dora Akunyili’s death is shocking, pointing out that she was one of the jewels in the glamour of his administration. “I am shocked, because she could not survive the traumatic and transfiguration of a once active and vibrant person. Her death has left a vacuum to be filled and the country has to search and motivate such person to achieve the standard she left behind. There are two things involved: One is to search for the person. Men and women of such standing abound.
Confab members mourn Dora Akunyili:
For her colleagues at the National Conference, Prof. Akunyili was one of Nigeria’s finest administrators, as enunciated by Mr. Akpandem James, the Assistant Secretary for Media and Communications, declaring that the confab was saddened news of her demise of a delegate, Professor Dora Akunyili.
Chairman of Conference and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Kutigi was quoted as saying expressing sadness at the demise of one of Nigeria’s finest administrators and, on behalf of the principal officers and delegates to the Conference, expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased.
Dora, a forthright public officer – President Jonathan:
Also for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, he received the news of Madam Dora’s demise with shock and sadness. He believes that Prof. Akunyili would live long in the memories of those who were privileged to know her as a diligent professional, a public-spirited and forthright public officer, and as a person of great convictions.
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan sees Prof. Akunyili contributions to nation-building while she served as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and as Minister of Information and Communications, particularly invaluable.
“It is sad that her death has come at a time she was making further efforts to help sustain and strengthen the unity and stability of the country in her capacity as a member of the on-going National Conference. Without any doubt, she will be greatly missed,” he said and commiserates with the Akunyili family, the government and people of Anambra State, members of the National Conference and all her loved ones. He prayed that Almighty in His infinite mercies will grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss of this truly distinguished citizen and patriot.
Tribute from a daughter:
Chidiogo, one of the Dora’s children in her tribute on her facebaok page, described the final moments she spent with her mother, emphasizing that during their discussion, she seized the moment to appreciate her mother for being an inspiration to her and her siblings.
Chidiogo, who is a graduate of Economics and International Relations, Johns Hopkins University, Maryland, United States, said she was happy to have spent some quality time with her mum a week before her death and wrote:
“... To many, she was an icon, to others, she was an inspiration, to me, she was my mother and all of the above. What I told her just last week stays with me.
“I am your daughter, and you raised me, you have been in the midst of everything, mummy and that is the strength that is now mine and all of us your children.
“It is also the strength of a whole nation; you touched so many lives, and that is a blessing that must not be taken lightly.’
She expressed thanks to her friends and Nigerians for extending condolences to her family. “Thank you all my dear friends from the bottom of my heart for your kind words. Mummy, may your soul rest in eternal peace, one with God, who you loved and served above all else.”
Dora Akunyili goes home August 28, 2014:
ITRealms gathered from the family at press time that the former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. (Mrs.) Dora Nkem Akunyili, will be buried on August 28, 2014, which was confirmed by Dora’s husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili issued penultimate Sunday in Awka, the capital of Anambra State.
He thanked Nigerians for the great love they extended to Dora both in life and at death and expressed his family’s appreciation to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the special valedictory session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) held in honour of Dora.
Also, Dr. Akunyili advised anyone who has a tribute or testimonial in honour of Dora to send it by e-mail to amazon4life@doraakunyilionline.org, amazon4laif@yahoo.com, or amazon4laif@gmail.com.
Conclusion:
As many Nigerians continue to eulogise late Prof. Dora Nkem Akunyili, some were specific by calling on the Anambra State government led by Chief Willie Obiano to ensure the naming of a state-owned project after her, so as to keep her spirit and what she believed in alive, especially leadership.
-Remmy Nweke
No comments:
Post a Comment