26th August, 2014
Friends, colleagues and associates of former Information Minister Dora Akunyili paid their last respects at a special tributes and service of songs in her honour in Abuja, on Monday.
The former colleagues and friends eulogise the personality and achievements of the late professor of pharmacology at the International Conference Centre, Abuja,
The Minister of Finance and coordinating Minister of Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo‑Iweala, said the late Akunyili lived a life worthy of emulation by all Nigerian mothers.
Okonjo-Iwaela said the deceased lived up to her responsibilities as a mother and achieved a feat many mothers and even fathers could not achieve for the nation.
She said the former Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, would be remembered for her contributions to national development, fight against drug counterfeiting and the rebranding Nigeria project.
In his eulogies, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, said the nation has lost a patriot and a dedicated Nigerian whose passion to national development was unparalleled.
Anyim said the late Akunyili had done her part and left the rest for other Nigerians to contribute to the development of the nation.
Similarly, Information Minister, Labaran Maku relayed his experience with the deceased, stating that she was an epitome of hard work and dedication to national service.
Maku said the late Akunyili demonstrated an uncommon passion to rebrand Nigeria’s image before the international community and to place it on the path of prosperous nations.
“It is certain that the entire nation will always remember with appreciation her contributions through the Rebranding Nigeria Project, while serving as Information Minister and her fight against fake drugs.
“We mourn one of our nation’s role model and a great woman of courage and determination,” Maku said.
The minister said the deceased made Nigeria the centrepiece of her thoughts and advocacy for a better African continent and a glorious nation where citizens would have the opportunity to actualise their dreams.
Former CBN governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, said Akunyili was a hallmark of the family’s excellence and dedication to the service of the nation.
Soludo said that although they had their differences but the late Akunyili never jeopardised the need for the family to be united. He described the deceased as an epitome of unity in her family and a model for all mothers in the country.
He said that the deceased never abandoned her responsibilities as a mother even at the point of death.
NAN reports that top government functionaries, relations and associates of the deceased attended the event.
NAN reports that a requiem mass will be held in her honour at the Catholic Pro Cathedral, Abuja, on 26 August, while the final burial programme will continue in Enugu on 27 August.