Prof. Dora Akunyili
As family sources have disclosed to Sahara Reporters, former Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and ex minister of Information, Professor Dora Akunyili, has died today.
She passed away at the age of 59 at an Indian Hospital where she has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment.
She was born Dora Nkem Akunyili in July 1954 in Makurdi, Benue State. Apart from holding highest offices in the NAFDAC and Ministry of Information and Communications, she was a pharmacist and governmental administrator. For her achievements, she gained international recognition and won hundreds of awards for her work in pharmacology, public health and human rights sectors.
In April 2011, Akunyili ran for the post of the Senator for Anambra Central on the All Progressive Grand Alliance platform, but lost to Chris Ngige of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
In late May 2014, former Governor of Anambra State Peter Obi visited her at an Indian hospital and reported that she was "responding well to the treatment".
