Stories by Bode Olagoke
It was a mournful plenary session yesterday at the ongoing National Conference as the delegates began the sitting with tributes to both the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, and Prof. Dora Akunyili.
Alhaji Ado Bayero died last Friday, while former Minister of information, Prof. Dora Akunyili, a delegate at the ongoing National Conference died at age of 59 last Saturday.
In his motion, a former Assistant Inspector General of Police, Barr. Bashir Albasu, described the late emir as “a detribalised Nigerian, lover of peace” who in his private and public life preached co-existence.
President of Market Women Association, Madam Felicia Sani, said Prof. Dora Akunyili would be remembered by Nigerians home and abroad saying “she lived her life to save many Nigerians.”
She suggested Prof. Akunyili be immortalised to serve as a model for young Nigerian women.
Eulogising the deceased, the Director General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), emphasized the need to immortalise Akunyili, saying her passion for Nigeria as a corporate entity should not go unnoticed
Also, Prof. Nnenna Otti, from Ebonyi state, described Akunyili as “a great woman, a patriot, an epitome of complete woman, trail blazer, a thorough bred, courageous and a loving mother.”
Contributing, National Chairman of Labour Party, Barr. Dan Nwanyanwu, said the former NAFDAC DG was a “patriot with a heart to fight fake drugs even when those involved were from her own part of the country.”
“Her patriotic role in resolving the late President Musa Yar’Adua ‘s leadership vacuum should not be forgotten in our democracy”, Barr. Nwanyanwu said.