Encomium
-silent on tale of being flown to India for urgent attention
FORMER Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Admnistration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Dora Akunyili is allegedly in a serious health crisis!
And as you read this, the former Minister of Information and Communications, has been reportedly flown to India for cancer treatment.
A delegate at the on-going National Conference, Akunyili’s health worsened over the weekend necessitating the need to fly her out for emergency medical intervention.
Dora Akunyili who had been absent at the Confab for several weeks was said to have been admitted at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja after her condition deteriorated. The former Minister’s state of health has been a serious concern to her admirers and associates.
Her health condition was exposed when she attended the inaugural session of the National Confab. And looking terribly skinny and far spent, those who know the once vibrant and articulate lady were shocked to the bones. Akunyili in her response back then claimed she was hale and hearty though she had health issues.
“My attention has been drawn to a story making the rounds online, claiming that I’m seriously sick, currently out of the country and in need of urgent prayers. This story is baseless, unfounded and the handiwork of mischief makers. It should be ignored and discarded in its entirety…while it is true that I recently came out of a major sickness, for which I thank Almighty God for delivering me, I have since been declared fit by my doctors and returned to my normal activities,” she said in a release.
Allegedly diagnosed with cancer, multiple sources claimed Professor Akunyili had been receiving treatment in the United States. Akunyili has, however, not disclosed this to the public. She had rather insisted there is no cause for alarm. But weeks after this claim and her address at the National Confab, the Agulu, Anambra born University of Nigeria Nsukka Professor of Pharmacy has now been allegedly flown to India for intensive medical attention.
The ailing National Confab delegate couldn’t take ENCOMIUM Weekly’s calls on Monday, May 12, 2014. Even the SMS we forwarded to her that same day was not replied.
“Good morning, ma. ENCOMIUM Weekly wants to confirm the report making the rounds that your health worsened over the weekend. And that you have been flown to India for cancer treatment. This is also wishing you quick recovery. Thanks,” our SMS read.
Two delegates to the National Conference had passed on days back. First, was the ‘sleeping delegate’ Barrister Mohammed Hamma, 67, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) representing Bauchi State.
Another delegate from Kaduna State who was nominated as elder statesman, Dr. Mohammed Abubakar also joined his ancestors on May 4, 2014, at 71. Yet another delegate and a former Minister, Akunyili is now said to be critically sick.
Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili, 60 (in July) was born in Makurdi, Benue. She served as NAFDAC Director General from December 17, 2008, to December 15, 2010. Akunyili later became Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Communications.
A former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, she lost her bid to govern Anambra to former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo. Dora Akunyili also ran for election as Senator for Anambra Central senatorial zone on the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) platform in April 2011, but was again defeated by the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)’s Dr. Chris Ngige.
Since her political misadventure, Akunyili has kept a low profile. She had hoped to return to limelight with her nomination as a delegate representing Anambra State at the Abuja National Conference.
Some of her awards and honours include: Time Magazine Award 2006 where she emerged ‘one of the 18 heroes of our time’; Person of the Year, 2005 Silverbird Communications Ltd; Award of Excellence Integrated World Services (IWS), December 2005; Award of Excellency Advocacy for Democracy Dividends International, Lagos, among others.
– UCHE OLEHI
