Professor Dora Akunyili, the former strong woman of National Agency
for Food, Drug Administration Agency caused a stir when she appeared at
the National Judicial Institute venue of the ongoing national conference
in Abuja on Monday looking very pale and emaciated, a far cry from her
usual vivacious self.
Many delegates could not recognise her at first glance as they were shocked by her almost ghoulish appearance.
On her facebook page on Tuesday, the former Iron Lady who as NAFDAC
DG gave drug counterfeiters hell and whose tenure was globally
celebrated for the clean up of the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry
admitted that she has been ill: “I just came out of a major sickness,
for which I thank Almighty God for delivering me. I know that God did
that for a purpose.
“I am well now but only need time to put on
more weight. However, I am strong enough for this Conference and I look
forward to collaborating with other delegates to chart the way for a
better Nigeria,” added the former Minister who is also one of the few
Ministers who spoke up against the cabal that was playing dangerous
games with the country when late President Umaru Yar’ Adua was sick.
She
resigned from the cabinet of President Jonathan who succeeded Yar’Adua
to contest Senatorial position in Anambra, her home State under the
platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance, but she lost the election
to Dr. Chris Ngige of the APC.
Whatever happened to Dora?