“Nigeria has lost one of her honorable and illustrious son or daughter” is a statement Nigerians often hear whenever a prominent person passes away. It has become a cliché that has lost it true meaning. Even people who looted government treasury or stole their way to prominence are held in high esteem. It is a shame in the sense that such attributes are often attributed to people whether they lived an honorable and exemplary life or not. It is a characterization that should be resisted because some people do not deserve such accolade. Dr. Dora Nkem Akunyili was a different breed. She stood tall among giants and made so much difference in the life of Nigerians before God called her home after loosing her battle with cancer.
Dr. Dora Nkem Akunyili was born on July 14, 1954 at Makurdi, capital of Benue State. She was 59 years old when she passed away on June 7, 2014. She was brought up at Nanka, a town in Anambra state, and got married at Agulu, another town in Anambra state. She was full of energy and discharged her duties like a woman in a hurry. We now know why she appeared to be racing through life. Dr. Akunyili started her working career as a hospital pharmacist from 1978-1981 at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. She subsequently went into academics as Graduate assistant in Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka from 1982-1986. She quickly rose from a lecturer to senior lecturer to Consultant Pharmacologist at the University of Nigeria College of medicine. Dr. Akunyili presented 19 papers in local and international conferences and published a book and 18 journal articles, and supervised masters and PHD candidates at University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Nnamdi Azikiwe University at Awka.
Nigerians actually knew Dr. Akunyili after her appointment as the Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of Nigeria on April 2001. Prior to her arrival, NAFDAC was an unknown and very obscure agency. Before she came to the scene, Nigeria had epidemic of counterfeit drugs and unsafe food sold by uneducated traders and pharmacist with forged certificates and licenses whose only motivation is to make money. The fake drugs and substandard foods are often sold without any regulation. She launched a fearless war on the peddlers of these poisons even though she faced considerable risk to her personal safety. She was angry and disheartened that a lot of Nigerians are fighting horrible and deadly diseases with legitimate drug mixed with chalks to increase the quantity, which are neatly repackaged to look like real medicine. Nigerians were grateful and hailed her courageous stance in taking the fight to these heartless drug kingpins. Nigerians admired her honesty, tenacity and sense of devotion to the well being of Nigerians of all ethnic background.
Dr. Akunyili was subsequently promoted to the post of Minister of information by late Nigeria president, Umaru Yar’Adua. She occupied the post from 2008 to 2010. She leveraged her domestic and worldwide popularity and goodwill by trying to change Nigeria image through rebranding. Her effort in rebranding Nigeria was less than successful since one can only change perception of Nigeria through grassroots effort and radical transformation of the country, which she was not in position to make.
She helped Nigerians once again by exposing the secrecy surrounding the health of the late president, Umaru Yar’Adua while in office. Mr. Yar’Adua family and his inner circles known as the “cabal” failed to tell Nigerians that their president was incapacitated and could no longer discharge the duties of the office he was elected to. President Yar’Adua inner circles hid that fact from Nigerians and to his then vice president, Goodluck Jonathan. The mystery persisted until Dr. Akunyili told Nigerians the truth which lead to the orderly transition of the presidential duties to the vice president as the constitution mandated. She could have easily decided to be part of the cabal and collect her share of the looted funds, but she put the interest of her nation first.
It was not all rosy for Dr. Akunyili, her foray into politics appeared to be her lowest point. She ran for electoral office as senatorial candidate for Anambra Central senatorial zone under All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), which she lost to a very popular and former Anambra state governor, Dr. Chris Ngige.
Dr. Akunyili died at an India hospital on June 7th 2014 after loosing her battle with cancer. Nigerians are asking why you left us so soon when people like you are needed more than ever in your motherland. Only God knows why he called you home at this time. We have accepted his wish. May your soul rest in peace. Take comfort in the fact that you lived an honorable and exemplary life. Adieu Dr. Akunyili, you were indeed a Nigerian treasure and a patriot, in the true sense of the word. You will be solely missed.