Nigeria's anti-fake drugs warrior dies of cervical cancer

Prof. Dora Akunyili, Nigeria's former Minister of Information and former Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Prof. Dora Akunyili, has died of cervical cancer.

Her death comes less than two months to her 60th birthday in a specialist cancer hospital in India where she was receiving treatment for cancer ailment, after about two years of battle for survival and was confirmed in a statement made public less than two hours after she was pronounced dead by the immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi.

"On behalf of the Akunyili's family, I wish to officially confirm the death of Prof. (Mrs.) Dora Nkem Akunyili, in a Specialist Cancer Hospital in India this morning at 10 am, Nigerian time, after a two-year battle with cancer." "In spite her illness, Prof. Akunyili was unwavering in her belief in a better Nigeria. That was why she defied her condition and was part of Anambra State Handover Committee and the National Conference,"  Obi said.

"As I said in an earlier statement issued on Wednesday evening, Prof. Akunyili fell sick over the weekend and was first attended to by doctors in Abuja but had to travel to India on Sunday on their advice for further medical attention."

Born July 14, 1954 in Markudi, Benue State, to Chief and Mrs Paul Young Edemobi, Professor Akunyili, a pharmacist, gained national prominence when she served as DG of NAFDAC, under President Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

While she survived an assassination attempt during her days in NAFDAC, she was rewarded with many national and international awards for distinguishing herself in the war against fake drugs and sub-standard products.