Former Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and former Minister of Information, Professor Dora Akunyili died on the 7th of June at the age of 59.
She was a pharmacist and governmental administrator who gained international recognition and won several awards for her work in pharmacology, public health and human rights
Akunyili ran for election as Senator for Anambra Central under the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) platform in April 2011 but lost to Chris Ngige of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). She died in an India hospital after a battle with Cancer.
During her appointment as the Director General of NAFDAC in April 2001, Akunyili established as a top priority the eradication of counterfeit drugs and unsafe food.
Although Akunyili faced considerable risk to her personal safety in her fight to combat the issue of fake drugs, “She has been dancing with danger. And she has been collecting very visibly awards all over the world appearing with whomever has a smile to share.”
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.
She was a very rare gem to the nation. She will be missed by all.
Rest In Peace Dr. Akunyili .