Dora Akunyili: A great achiever

Nigeria cannot gain 'say the fact that Professor Dora Akunyili has achieved greatness.The international awards given to her globally for the war she waged against drug 'counterfeiting are proofs of her fame. Isn't she the former Minister of Information' A precocious and mentally ' gifted child, Akunyili won government scholarships, which saw her through her post 'primary and university education. Now, the heroic and patriotic doings of Akunyili have engraved her image in our collective psyche.A patriot to the core, and an honest lady, she returned money meant for her treatment abroad to the government when she was diagnosed as not having the illness anymore, there. That uncommon patriotic and honest deed landed her the NAFDAC top- most job. As NAFDAC boss, she ran fake-drug manufacturers out of town, and stopped the importation of harmful and illicit health products into Nigeria. Consequently, she suffered a failed assassination attempt. That emboldened her to continue doing her job rather than dampen her enthusiasm for the job and frighten her out of her wits.A fearless and outspoken lady, Akunyili, while as Minister of Information, fired the famous letter to FEC, which rescued Nigeria from a political cul-de-sac occasioned by the health predicament of late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua. And, she performed her ministerial duties with diligence and nationalistic fervour.So, when this female political matriarch resigned her ministerial post to contest the Anambra Central Senatorial election, millions of Nigerians jubilated, hailed her political move as wise, and queued up behind her. She was forthright, outspoken and competent as regards leadership: these qualities endeared her to us. In fact, political analysts thought the electoral contest for the representative of Anambra Central Senatorial zone would be a one- horse 'race in favour of Akunyili.The obverse happened, and Dr. Chris Ngige was declared the winner of the election. Clandestine rigging marred the election, and controversy dogged it, too. In fact, a re-run election was conducted in some areas after the Anambra REC, Dr. Anene, did an appearance and disappearance act.It is an incontestable fact that Akunyili was robbed of victory in the election by veterans of past rigged election in the state, which necessitated her filing an election petition at the Election Tribunal at Awka.Chiedu Uche OkoyeUruowulu-Obosi.Anambra State08062220654Okoyechiedu8@yahoo.com
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