Tributes have continued to pour in following the death of a Patriotic Nigerian, Prof. Dora Akunyili, former DG of NAFDAC/ex-minister of Information who committed her service to her country Nigeria.
Prof. Dora Akunyili
Expressing shock over her death, former President Olusegun Obasanjo described her passing away as ‘passage of one of the jewels’ of his administration, adding that she was a workaholic member of my administration whose service he truely appreciated.
In a phone interview with newsmen, Obasanjo said Dora’s death “is a great loss for this country, which needs men and women of her high integrity, industry, patriotism and honesty.”
According to Obasanjo, the late Prof. Akunyili made a great change in the country’s crucial health sector, with her successful crusade against fake drug when she was the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and she saved many Nigerians from the dangers associated with adulterated drugs and foods.
“Her death is shocking. She was 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.
“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,” he said.
He sympathised with Nigerians, particularly the people of Anambra State, over the loss of a great icon of this country.
Also paying tribute, former Lagos state governor, Tinubu, said the news of Dora’s death came as a great shock she was full of life, always in great spirit and one of the most patriotic Nigerians he has ever known.
Tinubu said, “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.”
Professor Dora Akunyili died at the age of 59 on Saturday, June 7, after a 2-year battle with cancer at an Indian Hospital where she has been receiving treatment.
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