Remembering Dora Akunyili, a beautiful soul that made Nigeria proud

BY AKINWUNMI IBRAHIM

Every 7th day of June always resonates with the Edemobis and Akunyilis, and perhaps, the Nigerian people.

This is so because, on that day in 2014, we lost a rare gem, one of Nigeria’s finest, Professor Dora Akunyili, to the cold hands of death.

The late Prof. Akunyili embodied so many fine characteristics during her service years as the former director-general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and minister of information and communications.

One of her antecedents is opening the can of truth during the most daring and challenging times of our country when a cabal had held us ransom all in the name of majority rule.

Even at NAFDAC where the late Dora once held sway as the audacious director-general, the good template and model she laid is still being used by the agency to date.

Without a doubt, Dora is one of the brightest stars of our time. She is an amazon whose strength can never be compared. All offices that felt her touch exuded excellence given to her optimal performance even when the country was nose-diving.

The same esprit de corps of excellence is what her six beautiful children exemplify, making them shine in the white man’s land and within the shores of our great country.

Today, Ijeoma, her first daughter, is now the chief medical officer at Jersey City Hospital, the United States of America. Edozie, her first son, is a professor of emergency medicine in the US. Somto Akunyili Asuzu is a professor of neuroradiology in the US. Njideka Akunyili Crosby is a celebrated artist and MacArthur fellow while Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr is the multilingual author of “I Am Because We Are”, the story of Dora Akunyili — and Obumneme Akunyili, her last son, is now director, head of project monitoring with the Anambra state government, under the administration of Professor Chukwuma Soludo.

If Dora were alive today, perhaps, she would have been the most privileged vice-presidential candidate Nigerians would have presented and voted for indisputably due to her sterling track record.

In commemoration of her 9th anniversary, I and the Nigerian people remember her for telling us the truth in government even when her life was on the line.

We remember her for the good works she did by saving millions of people who ordinarily would have gone to their early graves through the consumption of fake drugs.

We salute your uncommon courage Adadiora.

Rest well, Mummy International.

Akinwunmi Ibrahim is a photojournalist based in Lagos, Nigeria. He can be reached via [email protected]