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.
DEAR DORA, MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE.
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