The Imo State Governor, and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, 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 who is Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum 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.
