President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday along with other prominent Nigerians mourn the sudden and untimely death of former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President said he believed that Akunyili would live long in the memories of those who were privileged to know her as “a diligent professional, a public-spirited and forthright public officer, and as a person of great convictions.”
He said he considered the deceased’s contributions to nation-building while she served as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control as well as as Minister of Information and Communications, invaluable.
The statement read, “The President states that it is sad that her death has come at a time she was making further efforts to help sustain and strengthen the unity and stability of the country in her capacity as a member of the on-going National Conference. Without any doubt, she will be greatly missed.
“President Jonathan commiserates with the Akunyili family, the government and people of Anambra State, members of the National Conference and all her loved ones.
“He prays that the Almighty in His infinite mercies will grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss of this truly distinguished citizen and patriot.”
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Ecology and Environment has described the dead of Akunyili as shocking.
“Nigeria has once again lost a rare gem, a vibrant, focused, energetic and passionate woman who drove laudable and sustainable changes in Nigeria through her service to the nation particularly as the Director General of NAFDAC- which marked the beginning of a well sustained revolution in the fight against fake food and drugs in Nigeria.
“We have come this far through the rough roads as a nation, hurtling through various edges and seasons not to record death of men and women who have been essentially instrumental to our growth and togetherness as a nation- no doubt, the death of Prof. Dora Akuyili is another blow too many; we need to be fervent in prayers as a people so that men and women who have struggled for this nation in spite of the doubting challenges should witness the new dawn of a better Nigeria,” Saraki said.
“The death of Prof Dora Akunyili is a big loss to this country. Aka Ikenga mourns this lady of substance for among other things, she was a titanic Amazon,” said Chief Goddy Uwazurike, President, Aka Ikenga.
