Dora Nkem Akunyili (July 14, 1954-June 7, 2014) born in Makurdi, Benue
State was the former Director General of National Agency for Food and
Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of Nigeria and former (December
17, 2008 – December 15, 2010) Nigerian Minister of Information and
Communications. She is a pharmacist and governmental administrator who
has gained international recognition and won hundreds of awards for her
work in pharmacology, public health and human rights.Akunyili ran for election as Senator for Anambra Central on the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) platform in April 2011 but was defeated by Chris Ngige of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). She immediately sent a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission disputing the result. She died in an India hospital on the 7th of June, 2014 after a battle with cancer.
She was born in Makurdi, Benue State (Nigeria) on the 14th of July 1954, hails from Nanka and married in Agulu, both in Anambra State of Nigeria. Dr. Akunyili’s educational career started with her passing the First School Leaving Certificate with Distinction at St. Patrick’s Primary School, Isuofia, Anambra State in 1966, and the West African School Certificate (W.A.S.C.) with Grade I Distinction in 1973 from Queen of the Rosary Secondary School, Nsukka, both in Nigeria.
These exceptional results in the First School Leaving Certificate, and W.A.S.C. earned her the Eastern Nigerian Government Post Primary Scholarship and the Federal Government of Nigeria Undergraduate Scholarship. She got her First Degree in Pharmacy B.Pharm (Hons) in 1978 and her PhD in 1985 from U.N.N. Dr. Akunyili was a Post Doctorate Fellow of University of London and a Fellow of the West African Post Graduate College of Pharmacists. To prepare her for Managerial positions, she was trained on Senior Management skills Course in RIPA, London and Computer Education Programme by WHO/UNDP/World Bank Sponsored, Enugu in 1998 and 1994 respectively. Dr. Akunyili has enjoyed many academic awards and recognitions.
Dr. Akunyili started her working career as a Hospital Pharmacist from 1978–1981, in the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (U.N.T.H) Enugu, after which she ventured into academics as a Graduate Assistant (Research Fellow) in Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, U.N.N. from 1982-1986. In the University system, she made a steady progress from Lecturer I in 1986 until she was made Senior Lecturer in 1990. She transferred to College of Medicine, U.N.N. in 1992, where she was made a Consultant Pharmacologist in 1996, a position she held until 12 April 2001. Due to her love for teaching and nurturing young ones, she was also a part-time lecturer of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists Lagos, Nigeria from 1992-1995.
Dr. Mrs. Dora Akunyili was also prepared for the present Administrative position by her four years stint as Zonal Secretary of Petroleum Special Trust Fund (P.T.F.), coordinating all projects in the five South Eastern States of Nigeria (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States). She also served as a Supervisor for Agriculture and Member of the Caretaker Committee for her Local Government, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State from 1994 to 1996. From 1992 to 1994, Dr. Akunyili served as a member of State’s Hospitals Management Board and State Advisory Council for Women Commission both in Anambra State of Nigeria.
As a Scientist and a Scholar, she has presented 19 papers in various local and International Scientific Conferences, and published a book and 18 Journal Articles. She has supervised PhD and Masters candidates in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka and U.N.N. respectively both in Nigeria. Even as the Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Akunyili still finds time to supervise six Postgraduate students in the College of Medicine U.N.N. She has also been Chief Examiner in Pharmacology for 3rd M.B.B.S College of Medicine, Abia State University Uturu, Nigeria.
Dora Akunyili’s last public speech
Premium Times
Published: June 10,2014
Former Minister of Information, Dora Akunyili
The National Conference released Dora Akunyili’s last speech at the conference.
[Before this speech at the National Conference, Prof. Dora Akunyili was asked to sit due to her health condition, but she refused to sit and delivered her speech standing.]sic
“Nigerians have for long clamoured for an opportunity such as this to discuss our problems and come up with solutions that will strengthen the bond of our nationhood. I regard this national conference as President Jonathan’s best centenary gift to Nigerians, and a proof that he is a listening president.
“Mr. President’s speech oozes humility, modesty, patriotism and a deep concern for the present and future of this beautiful country, Nigeria. Mr. President in that speech admitted that sovereignty belongs to the people. And those in authority are only holding power on trust for the people and of course that nobody has monopoly of knowledge; hence, the decision for convening this conference. One thing that stands out from Mr. President’s speech is that there is no trace of negativism.
“For instance, he made it clear that Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable and our duty at this conference is to discuss ways to build a stronger and better Nigeria and I totally agree with him.
“I am convinced that Nigeria should remain as one nation after 100 years despite her challenges because our common values overwhelm our differences.
“Apart from our long history of togetherness, we’ve also enjoyed many decades of inter-marriages and mutual co-existence. We have to make sure that this conference delivers on the true spirit of Mr. President’s speech.
“While we discuss the value of unity as written in his speech, we must realise that millions of Nigerians are being discriminated against in various parts of this country where they are born; where their forefathers lived; based on the so-called state of origin.
The founding fathers of Nigeria had a dream of building a united, prosperous, and developed nation state where social justice reigns. We also have to continue to dream because once we stopped dreaming then life is gone.
In conclusion, I am convinced that Nigeria will work and fulfil its destiny.
I therefore look forward to collaborating with other delegates to chart the way for a better a new Nigeria. We all want to see a positive transform Nigeria and I therefore urge all of us to work individually and collectively so as to set the right agenda for the Nigeria of our dream.
Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates, I leave you with the words of these Greek proverb “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”
No comments:
Post a Comment