During her heydays, Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili was regarded as an amazon who fought the sale of fake drugs to a standstill when Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999. On her appointment as Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC, she burst fake drug syndicate bringing its circulation to a 15% reduction.
The Benue State-born Anambra woman was fearless, highly cerebral, daring, loving and steadfast reason she was able to climb the ladder of success early in her life cutting her teeth as a lecturer and also as a minister. She made a made mark achievement in all capacities she served winning over 500 awards to her credit. She remained an enigma whose exceptional leadership transformed and saved lives. She was appointed Nigeria’s Minister of information and communication in 2008, consistently using her voice, words, actions, and influence to effect long-term change.
At a time when she was supposed to sit back and enjoy the fruit of her labour, She died on the 7th of June, 2014, after a two-year battle with uterine cancer, at a specialist cancer hospital in India. Dora’s demise was a huge loss to the country as she could not wait to witness the Nigeria of her dreams despite her contributions to making Nigeria great.
Since her demise years ago her family often celebrate her yearly. This year’s celebration was the first without their father Dr. Chike Akunyili who was murdered last year September at Nkpor, Anambra State. This year’s remembrance was not that grand but sources claimed that Chidiogo Akunyili used the moment to celebrate her mother by speaking about her life, struggles and her death which she explained in a written memoir titled; “I Am Because We Are’ on Adesuwa Nwokoye’s show ‘In-Depth’. She also spoke with BBC about her mother’s struggle in her fight against fake drugs cartels among other salient issues. Late Dora was not easily intimidated, she stood in her greatness and lived her truth till she took her very last breath. Even in death, her unwavering stance as a servant leader and a woman through and through inspires many.
