Obi Assures of Befitting Burial for Akunyili as he Receives her Mortal Remains: BYValentine Obienyem
The former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obihas assured Nigerians that the Late Prof. Dora Akunyili will be given a proper burial befitting her status and fame for positive things he did for Nigeria. Obi was speaking yesterday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, shortly before he received her mortal remains flown in a private aircraft from India yesterday, accompanied by her husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili and her younger brother, Dr. Anayo Edemobi. The remains were conveyed to a mortuary in Abuja in an Ambulance written Nigerian-Turkish Nizamiye Hospital.
Obi who said that burial plans would now be put in place since her remains had arrived, assured Nigerians that it would be a collective decision in close collaboration with her family.
Describing Akunyili as an uncommon Nigerian, he said she made all possible sacrifices for the health of the country and her people. “Those who visit the social media told me that Akunyili was one prominent Nigerian that all comments about her on social media were pouring of encomiums on a life lived for others amidst genuine regrets about her demise. These show us all that she was a wonderful woman that should be seen as a role model by us all. To show you the depth of her love for Nigeria, when I visited her in India, she was full of concern for challenges facing our country and appealed for the release of Chibok girls and prayed for God to strengthen President Goodluck Jonathan in his resolve and efforts to lead the country aright”, Obi said.
Those that joined Obi at the airport to receive her body are Rev. Dr. Williams Okoye, former Aso Rock Chaplain; Mr. Chidi Agbapu; Ejike Imoka; Hon. Uche Ekwunife; Chuma Nzeribe; Chinwendu Iloh; among many other admirers and well-wishers.
Prof Dora Akunyili, former NAFDAC boss and Federal Minister of Information and Communications died in Indian Specialist Cancer Hospital on Saturday, 7th of June, after a two-year battle with cancer;