Akunyili’s body carried in a golden casket by members of the Knight of St. John, accompanied by Dora’s widower, John Chike, children and relatives arrived at the Women Development Centre, Awka at about 2 pm, was laid at the stage of the auditorium after being received by Governor Willie Obiano and his wife, Ebele. The service which was conducted by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, The Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, has people including government officials, monarchs, the clergy, youths, workers, friends and well-wishers from across the globe in attendance.
Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano opened the Day of Tributes by laying a wreath after, describing the late Akunyili as a great loss to Nigeria and her personally; stressing that Dora was a person whose life gave meaning to others. “Once she felt satisfied that the step she was taking was for the interest of the people, my Prof was so ready to undertake it and was a colossus amongst men in the field of academics.” She said.
Mrs. Bola Obasanjo, wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, described the late Dora as a woman who was ready to die for a true cause. According to her:“Sister Dora, you are a wonderful person. You erased doubts in the minds of Nigerians. Stopping those putting ordinary chalk and selling to people as drug, Sister Dora, you are an icon, you are a wonderful woman, I doff my hat for you.”
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The former Minister for Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih, said: “The late Prof Akunyili’s appearance at the National Conference shocked Nigerians and that was when people knew what she was passing through, some people said why did she had to come, she told them, do not cry for me, if you don’t know any other thing to do, pray for me, as far as service to my fatherland is concerned, I will serve Nigeria with the last drop of my blood.
While on behalf of the academia, Prof Chukwuemeka Ike, who is also the traditional ruler of Ndikerieonwu, said: “University all through the ages had a common goal, to see truth and to teach truth. We have seen all kinds of things happening. When I saw Dora, she called me uncle, but when I saw her at NAFDAC, I felt she personified the goals of education, to seek truth, teach and preserve truth.”
Chief Victor Umeh, National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, said that death awaits every mortal .He went further to say : “Since Monday, Gen Gowon was there. There was nothing we didn’t hear, things that were said about Dora, several accounts of everything said about her were all good, let us continue to pray for her. Dora ran her Christian faith through hope and charity. For APGA, this is a huge loss. She contested election and she won, what happened was the politics of 180 days.” And he added that, “She reconciled with everybody before she died, so Ndi Anambra, it is time for thanksgiving, no more mourning for God to have raised this type of great woman amongst us.”
Gen. Yakubu Gowon in his own tribute said he joined the Akunyili family and indeed, Nigerians to mourn Dora’s demise, describing her as a fantastic mother and a wife. “Let us rejoice in the life of this woman for what she has done for Nigeria and the world all over, she deserves our prayer and respect”
May her gentle soul, rest in perfect peace, amen.
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