By Jigiola B
Just few hours ago,she passed on. Mother Nigeria has indeed lost a great daughter and icon. Dora Nkem Akunyili (July 14, 1954-June 7, 2014) born in Makurdi, Benue State was the former Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of Nigeria and when she took over leadership of NAFDAC, she had established as a top priority the eradication of counterfeit drugs and unsafe food. She was also the former (December 17, 2008 – December 15, 2010) Nigeria Minister of Information and Communications. She is a pharmacist and governmental administrator who has gained international recognition and won hundreds of awards for her work in pharmacology, public health and human rights. Akunyili ran for election as Senator for Anambra Central on the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) platform in April 2011 but was defeated by Chris Ngige of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). She immediately sent a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission disputing the result.
Today, in a statement sent on behalf of her family by former Anambra state Governor, Peter Obi, it says that Dr. Akunyili died in a Specialist Cancer Hospital in India this morning,after a two-year battle with cancer. In spite of her illness, she was strong in her belief in a better Nigeria, that was why she defied her condition and was part of Anambra State Handover Committee and a delegate at the National Conference. She was full of concern for Chibok girls,security and other challenges facing the country, she remained prayerful for the release of those girls and for God to help the President to overcome all the challenges facing the nation. She had also urged all Nigerians to remain prayerful and committed to building a better society for our children. She was a truly a leader,a wife,a mother and a distinctive woman.
What a great woman she was! @FPN we say Rest in Peace Ma!
