PROFESSOR DORA AKUNYILI, AN ICONIC WOMAN OF HONOUR AND INTEGRITY – PROFESSOR (MRS) VIOLA ADAKU ONWULIRI

The Minister of State 1 for Foreign Affairs, Professor (Mrs.) Viola Onwuliri has received the report of the death of the former Minister of Information, Professor Dora Akunyili with shock and sadness.

Professor Onwuliri noted that Professor Akunyili was a big asset to the nation and that she proved her mettle in all the national assignments given to her. Dora's death at this time in our national life is a great loss because it comes at a time the nation needs the services of industriouspeople like her. Dora was a patriotic Nigerian, an illustrious Igbo daughter, a gallant lady of the Knights of St. John International, a great Lioness of the University of Nigeria, a brilliant academic,an astute administrator andan epitome of womanhood.

The Honourable Minister recalled her world acclaimed and successful tenure as the Director-General of NAFDAC, where Dora aggressively and courageously fought to eradicate the menace of counterfeit and fake drugs that were killing hundreds of people at that time.

Professor Onwuliri noted rightly that Professor Akunyili displayed rare courage and risked her life to save others.

There is therefore nothing that the nation would accord her in death that will equal the diligence and selfless contributions she had made to the growth and stability of Nigeria. The minister described the late Professor Akunyili as an Iconic woman of honour and integrity, who contributed immensely to the nation's development and growth.

She prayed God to grant her soul eternal rest, and her family and indeed the entire nation divine consolation.

Public Communication Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Abuja