Obasanjo, Mimiko, Tinubu, Others Pay Tribute to Akunyili

Dora Akunyili

Our Correspondents

As tributes continue to pour in for the late former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, from all over the world, the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, yesterday extolled her sterling qualities.

Both political leaders described the death of the former director general of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as very shocking that and that her impact in the Nigerian politics can never been forgotten.

According to Obasanjo, that the late Prof. Akunyili made a great change in the country's crucial health sector, with her successful crusade against fake drug. This change, he said, saw her traversing the length and breath of the world.
The former President said on telephone that the death of Akunyili could best be described as a passage of "one of the jewels in the glamour of my administration. I am shocked, because she could not survive the traumatic and transfiguration of a once active and vibrant person."

He lamented that the death of the former anti-fake drug crusader, "is a great loss for this country, which needs men and women of her high integrity, industry, patriotism and honesty."

He said the vacuum she has created would be filled, saying the "there are two things involved. One is to search for the person. Men and women of such standing abound. Secondly, after the search, we have to tap them, motivate them and ensure that they are well directed.

"Akunyili was a workaholic member of my administration. I sincerely appreciated her service. Her life made a great change in one specific area: the fake drug. She was there, everywhere to fight the fake drug war, which could have been fatal if she had not taken the bull by the horn."

Obasanjo said he was using the moment, "to commiserate with Nigerians, particularly, the people of Anambra State for the loss of this great icon, who threw everything she had to the service of her fatherland. May her soul rest in peace.”

On his part, Mimiko said Akunyili’s death had robbed Nigeria of an illustrious and patriotic citizen in the person of the late Minister of Information, and former Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Dora Akunyili.

Mimiko in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Eni Akinsola, said to the point of death, the late minister lived an exemplary life and a life of selfless service to the nation.

"In her service as the director general of NAFDAC, Akunyili distinguished herself as a diligent, dedicated and dogged public servant, restored sanity into the system and set a new standard in food and drug administration and control, such that has been difficult for her successors to surpass.

"In her capacity as information minister, Prof. Akunyili also proved her outstanding prowess to the world as a true patriot and an outstanding image maker of the nation.

“Even though we are mindful of the fact that God giveth and taketh when He wishes, it must be said that death has robbed our nation of a true patriot, exemplary public official and an illustrious daughter. We can only pray that Dora's soul finds deserved repose in the bosom of the Lord,” he said.

The governor said he, on behalf of the government and good people of Ondo State, “commiserates with her family, friends and associates and prays that God grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Tinubu, who said the sad news of the death of Akunyili came to him as a great shock, however said that “she was full of life, always in great spirit and one of the most patriotic Nigerians I have ever known. Her patriotism knew no bounds and was well demonstrated in her leadership of NAFDAC and service to the country in various capacities. She raised the bar of public service to a new level and we must appreciate her for that.”

In a statement made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos yesterday, Tinubu said that Akunyili's death reminds “us all of our mortality. She would never be forgotten because she was one woman who affected her generation for good and won recognition for Nigeria.

“Amongst Nigerian women, she blazed a trail that was unequalled. She was an Amazon. Because she dared, many women can now aspire to lead and offer themselves for key leadership positions. May God Almighty have mercy on her soul and may He grant the husband, children, family and relatives the comfort they need to bear this pain,” Tinubu said.

She was a Foremost Patriot, Says UPP

Chekwas Okorie has expressed big shock at the demise of Prof. Dora Akunyili, describing her as a foremost patriot and role model for all public office holders.

"She put her life on the line to save millions of other lives who would have perished as a result of fake drugs. She survived all the plots by the merchants of death but only succumbed to death when the Almighty God chose to recall her having lived a very worthy life in spite of not attaining old age.

"We condole with her family especially the husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili, who stood by her in all her struggles in public service and all through her period of sickness, " he said.

PDP Says Akunyili Was a Fearless Nigerian

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said it received the news of the death of former Minister of Information and ex-Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Do ra Akunyili with deep sadness.

According to the party's National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, "Indeed, our hearts bleed over this very huge national loss. Our dear nation has lost one of her best. Prof. Akunyili was a great Nigerian, an exceptionally brilliant academician, consummate and energetic administrator who excelled in all assignments given to her.
“Dora will always be remembered by all as a fearless Nigerian, a great African and an Amazon who risked her life severally to save the lives of others with her unprecedented fight against fake and counterfeit drugs in the country.

"As a minister of information, she deployed her best in the effort to rebrand and reposition the image of the nation and rekindled the spirit of patriotism among the people with her 'Good People, Great Nation' Campaign."

The party noted that even in her battle with cancer, Akunyili demonstrated her love for the nation by making herself available as a delegate in the current National Conference, where she made very useful contributions for the stability and growth of the nation.

The PDP condoled with the Akunyili family, the good people of Anambra State, the academic community and the entire nation and pray God to grant the bereaved the fortitude to bear the loss.

Meanwhile, former deputy governor of Anambra State, who became a governor, when Peter Obi was first impeached, Mrs. Virgy Etiaba has lamented the death of Akunyili, stating that the death of the former NAFDAC boss was a sad moment for her and Nigerians in general.

According to a tribute by Virgy Etiaba, “It is with sadness that I pay this tribute to a great Amazon who has now gone to join the Saints Triumphant.

“Dora was a great Nigerian patriot who never shied away from difficult national issues and always exhibited uncommon and unparalleled courage in contributing her voice whenever it mattered most.

‘She so much wanted a better Nigeria for all of us that only a few weeks ago we were all together as delegates at the on-going National Conference.

“She had a hugely successful and unblemished career and made a huge difference wherever she found herself, giving many Nigerian women a strong voice to be proud of. Dora opened the eyes of our women in fighting gender discrimination and injustice and for this; our women folk in particular will miss her greatly.

“It is never about how long one lives but how well and just short of her sixtieth birthday, Dora has unarguable left this world too soon but Chike and the children should know that they are not alone at this moment of grief as millions of Nigerians are grieving with them”, the former governor stressed.

Nigerians in Europe Task FG on Cancer Campaign

A cross section of Nigerians in Europe yesterday urged the Federal Government to scale up awareness campaign on the dangers and treatment of cancer.

The Nigerians in Diaspora made the appeal, while reacting to the death of former director general of the National Agency for Food, Drugs and Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Dora Akunyili.

Akunyili, also a former information minister, died in a Indian hospital in the early hours of Saturday after a battle with cancer at the age of 59

The Nigerians in London said that Akunyili’s death was a great loss to Nigeria and the pharmaceutical sector.

They recalled her contributions in promoting the country’s image through the “Good People, Good Nation” project, which she championed as information minister.

Mr. Abraham Ikpi, a pharmacist in Paris, said in a telephone interview that “even when she was sick, she contributed to the on-going National Conference, which showed her passion for a better Nigeria.’’

Also, Dr. Rose Ogah in Berlin, said: “Prof. Akunyili was a courageous woman who stood for the truth, we will miss her.’’

Ogah, who noted that cancer was a silent killer claiming millions of lives annually across the globe, urged the federal government to dedicate funds in research and sensitise the public on early warning symptoms.

In the same vein, Mrs Ayo Roberts, a London-based care specialist, said, “the cancer scourge is worst than HIV, it is a fast killer, our government needs to focus on creating awareness”.

Roberts observed that the scourge was beyond breast cancer and prostrate cancer affecting men and women; even babies and teenagers die from various types of cancer.
“Our government needs to take drastic action now,’’ the care specialist stressed.