Ihedioha, Imoke, Uduaghan Mourn Akunyili

SAN FRANCISCO, June 07, (THEWILL) â€' Condolence messages have continued to pour in for the former Minister of Information and Director General of the National Agency for Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Dora Akunyili, who passed on Saturday morning at an Indian Hospital,

Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, in a message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Oke Epia, said: 'Our dear Prof. Dora was an epitome of courage, doggedness and determination to succeed above all odds. She served Nigeria till her last breathe as she struggled to give her all to a country she had virtually sacrificed her life for several times before her death. Nigeria will miss them both sorely.'

Ihedioha , who also mourned the passing away of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero ,described the death of both individuals as the loss of committed patriots, nationalists, and firm crusaders for peace, unity and an egalitarian society where justice and fairness reigns.' He said 'Their passage to the great beyond is 'deeply painful.'

According to Ihedioha: 'The late Emir of Kano was a renowned monarch of peace who stood for the promotion of peaceful co-existence, national unity and fairness among all people. He had a benevolent spirit that radiated a warm hospitality which made all and sundry feel comfortable in the ancient city of Kano.'

He prayed God to grant the families of the departed patriots the fortitude to bear the loss while commiserating with the Government and people of Kano State who will surely miss the towering father-figure the late Bayero provided for them.

The deputy speaker urged all Nigerians to emulate the virtues of the departed patriots and be inspired by the kind of lives they lived which impacted positively on the nation in more ways than one. On his part, the Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, described as shocking, painful and saddening, the death of Prof. Akunyili, lamenting that Nigeria has once again lost one of her gems.

Imoke in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, said: 'I received with a heavy heart, news of the death of our dear Dora Akunyili, who was one of the few Amazons of our time.'

Describing the late Akunyili as dogged, fearless and upright, Imoke said: 'As a patriot, Dora did not only put national interest above other personal and narrow considerations, she also put her life on the line to sanitise the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).'

Continuing, Governor imoke noted that 'as beacon of rectitude, Dora exemplified uprightness and honesty of purpose as a member of the Federal Executive Council when it was highly unthinkable to do so.'

Her death, according to the governor, is therefore 'not only a great loss to her state, Anambra, but to the entire nation as her wealth of experience and service will be sorely missed, especially at this time. But we are consoled by the fact that she lived a worthy life.'

In the same vein, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State noted with great pain the sudden demise of Prof. Akunyili, describing her as a woman with uncommon courage.

Reacting to the news of her death, the Governor in a statement issued by Mr Felix Ofou, his Press Secret‎ary also described the former Minister as a 'dogged fighter' who battled fake drug syndrome to a stand still.

In particular, Uduaghan recalled the glorious days of 'Dora' as she was fondly called, at NAFDAC where she served as its Director-General.

'Professor Akunyili was a thorn in the flesh of fake drug barons and fought fearlessly to exterminate fake drug syndrome from the soc‎iety while ensuring that the country is not made a dumping ground by criminals engaged in nefarious activities, ' the governor said..

The governor praised the former NAFDAC DG for further accepting to serve as minister and until her death as a delegate to the ongoingNational Conference in Abuja, pointing out that it was a reflection of the patriotism innate in her.

While expressing deep condolences to her husband, children and people of Anambra State, Uduaghan asked God to grant all the fortitude to bear the painful loss.