Encomium has been pouring in since her death was made public. Prof Dora Akunyili was one woman Nigerians will miss so so much because of her contributions to the nation.
According to the Senate President, David Mark, Prof. Dora
Akunyili was a patriotic and dedicated public officer who believed in the
sanctity of unity and indivisibility of Nigeria.He noted that Akunyili was an intellectual of international repute.
The senate president said that the former Minister of Information and
Director-General of NAFDAC displayed an unwavering commitment and
dedication to duty.
Mark said as D-G of NAFDAC and as the nation’s chief image maker
then, she brought Nigeria to global reckoning with her campaign of
“Great People, Great Nation’’ project. “Nigerians will not forget in a hurry her resolute and relentless war
against fake and counterfeit drugs when she chased the illicit drug
peddlers out of the market.
“We have lost a great Amazon. We have lost a scholar. We have lost a
crusader. We have lost a soldier who stood to be counted when it
mattered.
“We shall miss her robust and honest contributions to the socio-political and economic development of Nigeria.’’
Mark prayed that the almighty God would grant her eternal rest and grant her bereaved family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Similarly, the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, has
expressed grief and shock over the death of the former Minister of
Information.
Ekweremadu described the late pharmacist as a “woman of substance,
unequalled character, and courage who brought respect and glory to the
nation.’’ He said her death was a colossal loss to the entire country and an exit of an uncommon role model.
The deputy senate president noted that Akunyili’s love for her
fatherland filled her with the courage to tread where other mortals
feared to venture. “Prof. Dora Akunyili was a woman of enormous integrity, a quintessential professional and public administrator per excellence.
“As a minister, she was outstanding and as the Director-General of
NAFDAC, she brought a lot of energy and impetus to bear on the fight
against fake and substandard drugs and food.
“Her brilliant innovations and unparalleled spirited war the health sector practically gave life back to millions of Nigerians. “She was faithful and true to the nation till the very end and will be seriously missed,’’ Ekweremadu added.
He called on the Federal Government to immortalise Akunyili, adding
“she practically laid down her life for her country and remained a role
model that represented everything a Nigerian woman should be.’’
Ekweremadu condoled with her family, government and people of Anambra
State and the nation, and prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul.
Also reacting to the death, Sen. Ayogu Eze (PDP-Enugu), described
Akunyili’s as “possibly one of the saddest pieces of news I have heard
since the death of my mother last year.’’
Eze said that Akunyili was a core professional and a top Nigerian
patriot, who shone on the Nigerian scene like a meteor, leaving her
inimitable footprints on the psyche of Nigerians.
She bred life into NAFDAC and in the process, sanitised the chaotic
and largely unregulated Nigerian medicine and pharmaceutical industry.
“Her patriotism was to bloom fully when she arrived the Federal
Ministry of Information where she left no one in doubt that she was a
very resourceful professional by charting a way for cleaning Nigeria’s
battered image. “Her slogan, “Good People, Great Nation’’, became an instant
household byword as a symbol of the faith and trust of Nigerians in
their country.
“For her, there is no gender in the battle of life, a battle she waged with grace, gusto and panache,’’ Eze said.
Eze noted that Nigeria would miss Akunyili’s vibrancy and her
commitment to Nigeria and prayed God to grant her soul peaceful rest.
