konknaijaboy | On 07, Jun 2014

A one-time Minister of Information and ex-Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili is dead

She died on Saturday morning in an Indian hospital where she had gone to receive medical treatment for a cancer-related illness a month to her 60th birthday.

According to a statement issued by the former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, on behalf of her family, the professor of Pharmacology died “at 10 am, Nigerian time, after a two-year battle with cancer. In spite of her illness, she was unwavering in her belief in a better Nigeria.

“The last time I visited her in India, even when she needed all the prayers herself, she was full of concern for 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 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,” the ex-governor added.

The deceased, who was known for her hard stance on critical issues, waged an enormous battle against drug counterfeiting in the country, while serving as the Director General of NAFDAC.

Her doggedness and commitment to stamp out fake drugs from Nigeria saw to the arrest and prosecution of many drug counterfeiters and unscrupulous people who were making fortunes importing and selling fake drugs in the country, while many of such drugs were also destroyed.

It will be recalled that her effort to speak about the controversy surrounding the ill-health of the late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua and her memo to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2010 on the need to empower Dr Goodluck Jonathan as the acting president, caused a stir in the country, but saved Nigeria a lot of embarrassment, as the ill-health of the late president nearly grounded governance in the country.

While speaking in an interview on the return of the late president to the country from Saudi Arabia in 2010, Professor Akunyili said, “…things have not been properly managed by some people around our dear president. We were not told officially that our president was coming back. It was even Al-Jazeera that broke the news, but I didn’t hear it because I had slept. They broke the news that he was leaving Saudi Arabia for Nigeria. They also broke the news of the arrival. But I heard it on CNN…

“We have gone through a lot in the past few weeks, which actually culminated in the legislative resolution that pronounced Dr Goodluck Jonathan as the acting president and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces. So, it was very inappropriate for the presidency, on return of our dear president, to refer to Dr Ebele Goodluck Jonathan as Vice President. Dr Jonathan should be addressed as acting president…

“We did not have information that our president was even traveling to Saudi Arabia until we saw it in the news, and when he was in Saudi Arabia, we hardly got information. I only got information once from Mr Segun Adeniyi and that was what I reported to the Council, that the doctors in Saudi Arabia said he was getting better and it’s only the doctors that would determine when he would come back and I reported it like that.”

Born in Makurdi, Benue State, on July 14, 1954, she was a renowned pharmacist, pharmacologist, an erudite scholar and a politician, who contested on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) to represent Anambra Senatorial Central district in the National Assembly in April, 2011. She was, however, defeated by Dr Chris Ngige of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

She got her first degree in Pharmacy in 1978 and her PhD in 1985 from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). She was a post doctorate fellow of the University of London and a fellow of the West African Post Graduate College of Pharmacists.

Professor Akunyili was a recipient of many awards, among which are: Time Magazine Award (2006); African Virtuous and Entrepreneurial Women Merit Award (2005); African Biographical Network Award (2005); the African Cultural Institute and Zenith Bank Plc, (2005), and many others.

Akunyili left a legacy of service to God, humanity  —Maku
By Christian Okeke-Abuja

The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, on Saturday, stated that the late Professor Dora Akunyili left a legacy of service to God and humanity, noting that her memory will remain evergreen in the minds of Nigerians, because of her commitment and untiring efforts to add value to the people.

Maku, in a condolence message, noted that it was with shock that the management and staff of the Federal Ministry of Information received the news of the passing on of the erstwhile Minister of Information.

He noted that the death of Professor Akunyili was a huge loss to the family, the entire womenfolk and the country in general.

He described the late Akunyili as a patriot who devoted her career to the struggle to enhance the quality of life of the citizenry.

“Professor Akunyili displayed uncommon passion and zest  for service to the nation. She was a social crusader whose faith in Nigeria was unwavering.

“As the Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Dora Akunyili redefined the mandate of the agency and took the campaign against fake and unwholesome food and drugs in the country to a level where her tremendous  efforts saved the lives of thousands of Nigerians,” he noted.

Nigeria has lost an intellectual of international repute  —Mark
By Taiwo Adisa-Abuja

Senate President David Mark  said, on Saturday, that the death of former Minister of Information, Professor Dora Akunyili, amounted to the loss of an intellectual of international repute.

Mark, in a condolence message on the demise of Akunyili, lamented the death of the former Information Minister, and Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Senator Mark noted that the nation had lost one of its patriotic and dedicated public officers who believed in the sanctity of unity and indivisibility of Nigeria.

He recalled the unwavering commitment and dedication of the late Akunyili as the then Director General of NAFDAC and even as the nation’s chief image maker when she brought Nigeria to the global reckoning with her campaign of “Great Nigeria, Great People.”

Senator Mark stressed that Nigerian would 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.

He said, “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.”

FG, Anambra govt should immortalise her  —Tambuwal
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has expressed shock over the news of the passing away of the former Minister of Information, Professor Dora Akunyuli.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal described the deceased as a patriot whose tenacity and commitment to duty saved millions of Nigerians from untimely death due to effect of fake and substandard drugs.

He said her tenure as the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) would be remembered as a glorious moment for Nigeria.

Her death is a great loss to the nation, womenfolk  —Patience Jonathan
The First Lady, Dame  Patience Jonathan, has described the former Minister of Information, and erstwhile Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili, as a “titan,” who left an indelible mark with the passion and conviction with which she served the nation.

She also described the late Akunyili’s departure as, “a great loss to the nation and the womenfolk.”

The First Lady stated this today in Abuja while receiving the news of the death of the late professor. She remarked that, “Words cannot adequately express the shock and deep sadness I feel on receiving this news.”

Dame Jonathan observed that the late Akunyili demonstrated that if given the opportunity, women could make a difference as evident from her glowing career as an internationally renowned pharmacist, respected academic and distinguished administrator.

She called the late Professor Akunyili, “a bright and shining star,” saying that, “While we mourn her loss, we offer thanksgiving to God for her sojourn on this earth and for her service to the nation and humanity.”

Akunyili put her life on the line for Nigerians  —Okupe
By Leon Usigbe-Abuja

SENIOR Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, has described the late Information Minister, Dr Dora Akunyili, as a great woman who put her life on the line for the sake of Nigerians.

He told Sunday Tribune in his reaction to the demise of the one-time Director General of NAFDAC that she made a great impact on the country before her death.

Okupe observed, “It’s a very sad news and you know Dora was one of the best that we had, one of the very best. She was distinguished

“Somebody that made a very great impact on the life of this country, who had worked against fake drugs. She was a pioneer of that. By just doing that alone, she put her life on the line, she was resolute, she was determined and she succeeded.

“She was a great woman. I have a lot of respect for her,” he said.

Akunyili is a woman of courage  —Uduaghan
Delta State governor, Dr  Emmanuel Uduaghan, has lamented the death of the former Minister of Information, Professor Dora Akunyili, just as he described her as a woman with uncommon courage.

Reacting to the news of Professor Akunyili’s death, the governor, in a statement issued by Mr Felix Ofou, his Press Secretary, also described the former minister as a “dogged fighter” who battled fake drug syndrome to a standstill in Nigeria.

The governor recalled the glory days of the former minister at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), where she served as its Director General.

According to him, “Professor Akunyili was a thorn in the flesh of fake drug barons and fought fearlessly to exterminate fake drug syndrome from the society, while ensuring that the country is not made a dumping ground by criminals engaged in nefarious activities.”

The governor praised the former NAFDAC DG for further accepting to serve as minister and until her death as a delegate to the ongoing National Conference in Abuja, pointing out that it was a reflection of the patriotism innate in her.

It is the exit of an uncommon role model  —Ekweremadu
By Taiwo Adisa-Abuja

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu,  on Saturday, described  the demise of the former Minister of Information, Professor Dora Akunyili,  as the exit of an uncommon role model.

Senator Ekweremadu, in a condolence message, also described the late Akunyili as a “woman of substance, unequalled character, and courage who brought respect and glory to the nation,” adding that  her death was a colossal loss to the entire country and an exit of an uncommon role model.

The Senator further said:  “Professor Dora Akunyili was a woman of enormous integrity, a quintessential professional, and a 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 in the health sector practically gave life back to millions of Nigerians. Indeed, Professor Akunyili spared no cabals wherever they existed throughout her public service, for her love for her fatherland filled her with the courage to tread where other mortals feared to venture.

“She was among the brightest in our galaxy of eminent women and never dimmed in quality and character. She was faithful and true to the nation till the very end and will be seriously missed.”

The Deputy President of the Senate said Professor Akunyili deserved immortalization by the Federal Government because “she practically laid down her life for her country and remained a role model that represented everything a Nigerian woman should be”.

She served Nigeria till her death  —Aliyu
By Adelowo Oladipo-Minna

The Niger State  governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu has described the death of Professor Dora Akunyili as a big blow to Nigeria.

He further described  the late former  NAFDAC Director General as a fountain  of knowledge and professional expertise who exuded servant leadership during her national service.

The governor made this known in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Israel Ebije, adding that Professor Akunyili was a good example of a true Nigerian, who, despite her ill health, was ready to use her knowledge for the good of the nation.

“Professor Dora Akunyili was a leading example of a patriotic leader for change. She believed in the Nigerian project and continued to champion her belief even till death,” the statement read.

‘She was an amazon’
Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has described the late former Information Minister, Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili, as an amazon.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on media, Mrs Olufunmilayo Wakama, Amosun, who expressed shock and disbelief at the news of the demise of a one-time Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), said she deserved special mention among nation builders in Nigeria.

The governor said the death of the foremost Professor of Pharmacy, when her wealth of experience was mostly needed, especially at the ongoing National Conference, where she was a delegate, was lamentable.

Amosun recalled her achievements at NAFDAC and said she waged a successful war against counterfeit and fake drugs, thus becoming a terror to fake drugs cartels.

“Also, as  Minister of Information during the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, she did her best in promoting and projecting Nigeria when she initiated the Rebrand Nigeria Project,” the statement said.

Her death, personal tragedy to humanity  —Bayo Ojo
By Lanre Adewole-Lagos

Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, at the weekend described the passing of Professor Akunyili as a personal tragedy to humanity.

Ojo, who is also a delegate at the National Conference as the deceased, recalled her passion for humanity both in public and private life, especially when the duo served in the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

According to him, “Humanity is mourning today. It just lost one of its most passionately-committed allies. Akunyili was a rare breed in defining selflessness. She lived for others, putting her life permanently on the line as the scourge of death merchants who lived on blood money made from fake killer drugs.

“Her story of forthrightness and upright conducts at PTF, even when she stood a good chance of not being caught tampering with public funds, would surely endure alongside her memory that is bound to be eternal,” he explained.

 

The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has received with great shock the death of the former Minister of Information, Professor Dora Akunyili.

In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Sam Onwumuedo, he said that she was a big asset to the nation and her death at this time was a colossal loss to the country as Nigeria needs the service of people like her in this trying period.

The Governor described her as an illustrious Igbo woman who has contributed immensely to the development of the nation.

Governor Okorocha prayed that God should grant her eternal rest and grant the family and loved ones divine consolation.

Dora Was A Patriotic Nigerian

Governor Muazu Aliyu of Niger State has described the death of Professor Dora Akunyili as a big blow to Nigeria in the area of intellectual competence and patriotic citizenship.

The Governor described the late NAFDAC Director-General as a fountain ‎of knowledge and professional expertise, who exuded servant leadership during her national service.

The Governor’s remark was contained in a statement made available to Channels Television in Minna.

“Professor Dora Akunyili was a leading example of patriotic leader for change. She believed in the Nigerian project and continued to champion her belief even till death.

“We will continue to respect her courage which she expressed in good health and in sickness. She was indeed a symbol of hope for women in government, a symbol of hope for a better Nigeria as hope is not completely lost as we still have Nigerians who can offer themselves to true service.”

The Governor, while praying for the repose of the deceased, prayed God to grant her husband, children and family members the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

She Was an Amazon

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, described the late former Information Minister, Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili, as an amazon.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Olufunmilayo Wakama, Amosun expressed shock and disbelief at the news of the demise of the onetime Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), at the age of 59.

He said that she deserves special mention among nation builders in Nigeria.

The Governor said that the death of the foremost Professor of Pharmacy, when her wealth of experience was mostly needed, especially at the ongoing National Conference, where she was a delegate, was lamentable.

Amosun recalled her achievements at NAFDAC and said she waged a successful war against counterfeit and fake drugs, thus becoming a terror to fake drugs cartels.

“Also, as Minister of Information during the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, she did her best in promoting and projecting Nigeria when she initiated the Rebrand Nigeria Project. I remember the slogan ‘Nigeria: Good People, Great Nation’.

“Knowing her, she would have done her best, yet again to chart the way forward for Nigeria at the National Conference. She has certainly left her footprints on the sands of time,” the Governor said.

Amosun commiserated with the family of the deceased, the nation in general and Anambra State in particular, where the late professor hailed from.

He prayed to the almighty God to grant her soul eternal rest and give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Akunyili Was A Different Breed

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, in a condolence letter to the family of the deceased, described her as an outstanding woman who showed Nigeria that she was a different breed.

He added that through her dedication and uprightness while serving as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Control (NAFDAC), she saved tens of thousands of lives of Nigerians and the country would forever be grateful to her for the war she waged and won against the manufacture and sale of fake drugs in Nigeria.

“Even till the weeks preceding her death, Mrs. Akunyili continued to show her passion for service to the Nation by serving as a delegate at the National Conference”, the Governor added.

He urged the family to take comfort in the knowledge that she was loved by many, and she fulfilled her purpose on earth and that Nigerians would not forget her just as history would not forget her as a true Amazon.