‘I’d Hopes Akunyili Would Return From Indian Hospital Alive’

former-minister-of-information-and-communications-prof.-dora-akunyili-360x379Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, has expressed grief over the death of a former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof Dora Akunyili.

Anenih said Akunyili died serving her country and mankind, adding that she was a rare gem.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the PDP chieftain condoled with the Akunyili family, the people of Anambra State and the Federal Government on the tragic loss.

He described the late Akunyili as “…an Amazon, a unique political breed, an incorruptible character and a woman of immense integrity who died serving her nation and mankind”.

The statement added: “I received with shock and disbelief the news of the tragic and untimely death of our dear daughter, Prof Dora Akunyili, in an Indian hospital. Her death came to me as a surprise because the feedback I received a few days after she was flown out of Nigeria was that of optimism, predicated on an observed marked improvement in her health condition.

“My hope that Dora would make it was also based on the love shown by Mr. President and other well-meaning Dora’s friends, whose timely intervention and response saw to her prompt evacuation to India for treatment at a very critical time in her battle for life.

“I had the privilege, with other family members, of escorting her to the airport and spoke to her and her husband twice on telephone since her arrival in India during which she gave me reasons to be hopeful of her quick recovery and her return to Nigeria to continue her services to the nation…”