• Her death a great loss to Pharmacy, says PSN• NAFDAC opens condolence register in Lagos
THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have described the death of former Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC), one-time Minister of Information and a delegate to the ongoing National Conference, Prof. Dora Nkem Akunyili, as shocking and a major loss to the country.
According to them, Akunyili’s death was no doubt one too many for all genuine progressive and patriotic Nigerians.
The unions, in two separate statements, noted that she was a trail-blazer and a good example of a true Nigerian who, despite her ill-health, was ready to offer her fountain of knowledge at the ongoing national conference.
Eulogising her role as Director-General of NAFDAC, the unions in the statements signed by both Presidents, Abdulwaheed Omar and Bobboi Bala Kaigama, said she demonstrated quality leadership and commitment to public service driven by public interest with such an uncommon courage and determination to promote good health and safe living by ensuring all substandard pharmaceutical items are shut out of Nigeria.
Also, Pharmacists under the aegis of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) have described the demise of Akunyili “as a great loss to Pharmacy profession,” even as they commiserate with the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano.
The PSN will on Thursday, June 26, 2014, inaugurate the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAP) at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, by 10:00 a.m. prompt, with keynote address to be delivered by Emeritus Prof. Olujimi Oladipo Akinkugbe under the distinguished Chairmanship of former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon.
In another development, it was grief and sorrow yesterday at the Oshodi, Lagos office of NAFDAC as members of staff wore sorrowful look to mourn the death of Akunyili.
The Guardian learnt that similar condolence registers have been opened in the agency’s Abuja and Yaba offices.
In the Oshodi condolence register, many, including the old and young in the agency, described her as “mummy” who devoted her life to the course of NAFDAC.
In his tributes to the late Akunyili, NAFDAC DG, Dr. Paul Orhii, described her as “a woman who loved Nigeria deeply and dedicated her entire life up till the very last minute to the service of this great nation.”
Orhii wrote: “It is with great shock but with total submission to the Will of God that I received the sad news of the death of Prof. Dora Akunyili. She was a woman who loved Nigeria deeply and dedicated her entire life up till the very last minute to the service of this great nation.”
Meanwhile, the National Conference yesterday halted its proceedings momentarily for delegates to pay tributes in memory of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and a conferee, Prof. Dora Akunyili.
The Deputy Chairman of the conference, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, yesterday announced the opening of a condolence register in the lobby of the conference hall for members to express their condolences.
In the light of their recommendations, a one-minute silence was yesterday observed in honour of the deceased. The leadership of the conference is also expected to raise a delegation with a formal letter of condolence to be delivered to the Emirate council and respective governors of Anambra and Kano states, as well as families of the deceased.
The delegates also requested that a national monument should be named in memory of Prof. Akunyili and urged the national conference to be part of the funeral arrangement when announced by the family.
Also, former Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Leke Pitan, said that successive government and people in the state would for ever be grateful to the late former Minister of Information, Prof. Dora Akunyili, for her bold and landmark effort in reducing the menace of fake and adulterated drugs in the state during her stewardship as Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
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