Nigerians won’t forget Akunyili – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday maintained that it will not be easy for Nigerians to forget the late former Minister of Information, Prof. Dora Akunyili, due to her patriotic performance especially as Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NA

FDAC).

He made the remark while speaking at the Requiem Mass held in her honour at the Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro Cathedral Catholic Church, Area 3, Abuja.

While noting that the deceased was appointed to several offices including Minister of Information and Communication under late President Umaru Yar’Adua, Jonathan said that her days at NAFDAC was the most renown  because of her service to the nation.

He urged Nigerians to emulate Akunyili, describing her as diligent, intelligent, extremely patriotic and extremely brave.

He said: “This is our last assignment in honour of our sister. Dora was a professor of medicine, at the public level she served in Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), NAFDAC and then minister. Dora was more known as DG NAFDAC more than when she served as a minister. Most Nigerians knew Dora because of her service.

“So most of the offices we look for, anybody who has opportunity to serve we should all serve because what will endear you to people is not necessarily the office you hold but the service you render.

“As a minister, Dora was good we were very happy to work with her. She was diligent, intelligent, very forthright, extremely patriotic and above all she was extremely brave and could say anything right or wrong and did not care whose ox is gored. That was Dora for you.”

Continuing, the President said: “She sought to protect the lives of Nigerians as DG of NAFDAC and never compromised as regards those who traffic in fake drugs.”

“One thing that endeared her to me is that, probably I’m one president that has worked with so many women. At times you noticed rivalry amongst women but with her you never noticed any rivalry.”

“Today, our dear sister has left us, but to my brother,  her husband, as the Bishop has told us about the virtues of a good wife, you have to thank God you will get that respect as her husband because of her achievements.”

Addressing the deceased children, he said: “To my children, your mother was a very dynamic woman because her works and identity has given you what silver and gold cannot give you. Yes, it might not translate to monetary rewards, but many will respect and want to assist you as Dora’s children because of her. We pray that those of us serving when we die people will respect our children because of our deeds like Dora. So you have to thank God for that.”