in

FG, ANAMBRA MAY BANKROLL DORA AKUNYILI’S THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 BURIAL

– AS BODY ARRIVES 

Former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Nkem Akunyili will be buried on Thursday, August 28, 2014, said the family of the deceased.
In a statement on Sunday, June 15, 2014, Dora’s husband, Dr Chike Akunyili said the details of the funeral arrangements will be made available to the public in due course.
Dr Akunyili thanked Nigerians for the great love they extended to the fallen amazon both in life and death.
He also expressed his family’s appreciation to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the Special Valedictory Session of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, held in honour of the late ex- minister and Anambra guber aspirant upon her arrival.
Akunyili advised anyone who has a tribute or testimonial in honour of his departed wife to send it by e-mail to [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected]
Professor Akunyili, a former Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (AFDAC), died on Saturday, June 7, after a two-year battle with cancer.
She is survived by her husband, six children and host of relatives. Dora Akunyili’s four girls and two boys, in their order of seniority, are Ijeoma, Edozie, Somto, Njideka, Chidiogo and Obumneme.
The former minister, who was a delegate to the on-going National Conference in Abuja, would have turned 60 on July 14, 2014.
Prof Akunyili’s body arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Wednesday night (June 11) and was received by members of her family and political associates.
The reception team was led by the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi.
Flown back to the country in a chartered aircraft from India, the corpse was accompanied by her husband and younger brother, Dr Anayo Edemobi.
Her remains were later conveyed to a mortuary (we learnt is Abuja National Hospital) in an ambulance belonging to the Turkish-Nigerian Nizamiye Hospital.
Obi, who said Akunyili’s burial plan had kicked off with the arrival of her body, assured she would be given a grand burial befitting of her status.
He also said that many stakeholders, including Anambra state and the Federal Government, would make their input to the burial in close collaboration with the Akunyili family. Obi’s assurance is a pointer to speculation that the distinguished administrator would be given a state burial. In a state/national burial, the family of the deceased is not expected to bear the main cost.
ENCOMIUM Weekly had exclusively reported in our Tuesday, June 10, 2014 edition that the body of the late University of Nigeria, Nsukka Professor Emeritus would be flown home last week. And like we said, Akunyili arrived her fatherland on Wednesday, June 11. The family has also picked Thursday, August 28, as her tentative burial date.

 

– UCHE OLEHI

Encomium

Written by Encomium

A media, tech and events company.

What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Avatar

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Mercy Aigbe debunks romance with Gov. Amaechi

‘How I emerged Africa’s youngest Ph.D holder at 24’ – Olaoluwa Oluwadara