INTRODUCTION
Tony Fernandes opined that good leadership is to know when to
go, and you only succeed as a good leader if you’ve transported
someone else in and the company gets stronger. Then you’ve
succeeded as leader. On this note, we shall x-ray the life and
times of another great Nigerian heroine, Prof Dora Nkem Akunyili,
of blessed memory.
PROFESSOR DORA NKEM AKUNYILI EARLY LIFE
(1954 – 2014)
Dora Akunyili was born in Markurdi[1], Benue State[2] on July 14, 1954, to
Chief and Mrs. Paul Young Edemobi. she was a native of Anambra
state, but, was brought up in Nanka and was married in Agulu, both
in Anambra State of Nigeria. Akunyili enjoyed a lively childhood
until the death of her diabetic sister, Vivian, who died from fake
insulin. Dora won the Eastern Nigerian Government Post Primary
scholarship. Thereafter, she proceeded to attend Queen of Rosary
Secondary School in Enugu, where she finished with a Grade 1
distinction in her West African School Certificate (W.A.S.C), in
1973. Dora’s love for education could be seen when she was further
given scholarship by the federal government of Nigeria to study at
University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where she earned a degree in
Pharmacy, in 1978.
AKUNYILI’S UNFORGETTABLE EXPLOITS AND ARRIVAL ON
EMERGENCE ON NIGERIA’S CONSCIOUSNESS
After Akunyili’s graduation, she took on her first job as a
Hospital Pharmacist at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital
(U.N.T.H), Enugu. In 1981, Akunyili became a Graduate Assistant in
the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNN. Akunyili won the best
student award in the school of Pharmacy in her very first year in
the school and the Vice Chancellor’s Postgraduate and Research
Leadership prize in Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences for 1984/85
and 1985/86 academic Sessions. Akunyili was later made a Consultant
Pharmacologist at the College of Medicine until 2001.
During this period, she held several administrative positions,
including her role as a Zonal Secretary, Petroleum Trust Fund
(P.T.F), of which prepared her for the job that eventually shook
Nigerians, and indeed the world.
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (the then President of Nigeria) while in
the quest to take drastic measures against the unpleasant,
unwholesome foods and fake drugs killing hundreds of Nigerians,
drafted Akunyili into his administration. With her zeal and
dedication to the Nigerian society, the fake drug market recorded a
decline of about 92%. Before her assumption of office in NAFDAC,
fake and substandard foods and drugs were sold in Nigeria without
any form of regulation. She was disheartened that so many of (her)
countrymen and women (were) fighting killer diseases like malaria
and tuberculosis with little more than sugar syrup and chalk
tablets, cynically packaged to look like the real thing. A case at
hand, was the case of My Pikin’s case, which yours sincerely
personally handled up to the Supreme Court and won. Her impact
could be felt, when two assassination attempts were made on her
life.
In 2008, Akunyili assumed the position of Minister of
Information and later started the Re-Branding Campaign, driven by
the slogan, “Nigeria, Good People, Great Nation”.
Dora Akunyili contested for the Senatorial seat for Anambra central
in Anambra State under the platform of All Progressive Grand
Alliance (APGA) in the April 2011 elections but was defeated by
Chris Ngige of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). She thereafter
sent a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission
disputing the result.
PROF. DORA AKUNYILI’S LAST PUBLIC SPEECH WHICH SHE
DELIVERED AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ABUJA ON MARCH 24,
2014
Yours sincerely was a National delegate at the 2014 National
Conference where this powerful and iconic speech was delivered by
Akunyili, at the Conference.
“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 realize 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’”.
We wept. I personally cried unconsoleably. She was frail of
figure, eyes sunken, body weak, but spirit determined. I first
passed this good friend of mine that I had also defended when an
attempt was made on her life at Agulu, Anambra state, unnoticed.
She had changed from the bubbly effervescent, uncandecent paragon
of black beauty that I had known. Other delegates drew my attention
to her. I went to her, hugged her, and she said, “Mike, don’t
worry. I will be fine”. I cried. Then, she went. She died. This
Nationalist and pan-Nigerian.
NOW THIS AWARDS,
HONOURS, LAURELS AND RECOGNITIONS
Prof. Dora Nkem Akunyili has received over six hundred Awards
and Recognitions locally and internationally.
AND THIS
AKUNYILI’S PAINFUL EXIT
It is a sarcasm to state that Nigerians owe a major part of
their health to Professor Dora Akunyili. The heroine,
unfortunately, died in an Indian hospital on 7th June, 2014, after
a battle with cancer[3]. She had six children
and three grandchildren.
Her funeral, which took place on 27th and
28th August, 2014, was greatly attended by many
dignitaries from within Nigeria and beyond, including President
Goodluck Jonathan (2010 to 2015), the then Nigerian President and a
former Nigerian military ruler General Yakubu Gowon. May her soul
continue to rest in the bossom of our God, amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Leadership is hard to define and good leadership even harder.
But if you can get people to follow you to the ends of the earth,
you are a great leader”. (Indra Nooyi).
LAST LINE
Hope Nigerians are reading, digesting and awaiting the next
explosive discourse of Sunday Sermon on the Mount of the Nigerian
Project by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, OFR, FCIArb., LL.D, PhD.