I remember Dora Akunyili, the Super ‘Alpian’
Since the announcement of her death, I have had course to think about the life of this woman of substance especially in her field of excellence – a pharmacist of outstanding courage which she clearly demonstrated during her tenure as Director General of National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Professor Akunyili came […]
Since the announcement of her death, I have had course to think about the life of this woman of substance especially in her field of excellence – a pharmacist of outstanding courage which she clearly demonstrated during her tenure as Director General of National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Professor Akunyili came to limelight in the early 2000’s, when she was appointed DG NAFDAC. There is no gainsay about the unique role she played, despite the life threatening challenges she faced in the War against Fake and Counterfeit Drugs.
She spared nobody irrespective of your colour, tribe, or Nationality. NAFDAC had become a household name in Nigeria, West Africa, Africa and World due to the hardworking DORA. As ALPIANS, we were all proud of her as one of us with an unusual Exhibit of Outstanding Academic Excellence. Pharmacists were all respected because of Dora. She made the profession of pharmacy, recognized as “lifesaving“, even a child could ask, “Do you have “NAFDAC number”?
As the National Chairperson of the Association and a very close associate of hers, anytime I called her, she picked my call and encouraged me to continue to Excel in my field of Promoting Medicinal Plants. I always reminded her that we look up to her as our mentor. Dora to us was an epitome of beauty, transparency, honesty, friendliness and generosity and outstanding intelligence.
At NAFDAC, all her staff exhibited the core ethics or value of public-service, merit, loyalty, patriotism, diligence, professionalism, efficiency, political neutrality, anonymity, accountability, transparency and integrity. This was the secret of both leadership and followership at NAFDAC. These values are still entrenched with those she left behind. Everybody walks into NAFDAC as an exemplary Agency of Government that has succeeded in carrying out its mandates objectively. “Dora was NAFDAC; NAFDAC was Dora”.
She encouraged the proliferation of local pharmaceutical companies to produce drugs of quality standards that brought market for Nigerian drugs especially in the West African Sub region and the Agency was seen as A Pioneer in West Africa. Our drugs were proudly bought and used by All in Africa. Currently, we have over 300 pharmaceutical companies in the Country producing locally. She ensured that quality drugs were brought into the country through the inspection of drugs at source of manufacturing especially in India and China. NAFDAC staff had a unique international exposure as inspectors of high repute.
In tributes recently on Dora, the one missing is from her immediate constituency pharmacy profession. With The vacuum her death has created, necessitated the urge to write about her, on behalf of women pharmacists and pharmacists generally in Nigeria. Dora’s death to us is an irreplaceable loss and we will continue to mourn her for a long time.
Dora preached the gospel of fake drugs at the slightest opportunity – Schools, Public gatherings and Social functions. Dora as a great pharmacist loved her colleagues but was often misunderstood because of her Intimidating and Charismatic qualities which she always exhibited. As an ALPIAN, she was Active and above all, a founding member.
Dora was Passionate of Nigeria. This she clearly demonstrated when she was Minister of Information. Hence, the Rebranding of Nigeria with the logo “Good People, Great Nation” is adorned on all products with the term proudly Nigerian. Gone are the days that products made in Nigeria were replaced with the names of other countries which were regarded as an “Inferiority Complex”. Nigerians were ashamed of naming products as made in Nigeria. Dora removed this complex from the minds of Nigerians.
Largely, her dressing was proudly Nigerian, very native and modest. Oh! Dora anywhere you appeared, you had that natural and innocent look with a focus for aspirations.
Those Numerous awards are indelible points that will make Dora to live on and hope some will be taken to the National Museum for History. In this regard we advise that Federal Government name the street leading to NAFDAC Headquarters after “Dora Akunyili”. The NAFDAC, Oshodi complex, Lagos should also be named after her. Her Alma-Mata should also name the Pharmacy department in her Honour. Needless to say late last year November to be precise, I called her on phone and After pleasantries I told her that I’m currently the National Chairman of ALPS ‘’Association of lady pharmacists of Nigeria’’ and to inform her that she was a woman of great Substance who has excelled and made us proud therefore the need to “Celebrate her”. I said to her “ma, we want to celebrate you while you are Still Alive”. Let’s have a one day programme and launch an activity in your name possibly donating drugs to the children’s orphanage as a mark and talk about your life times in NAFDAC.
Dora told me, it was not a bad idea but I should call her in January to confirm. I did not know that she was ill until her appearance at the National Conference which confirmed her inability to pick my calls in January. I made efforts and called her home number but there was no response.
The foundation laid by Dora in NAFDAC, made it easy for the current DG to build on and continue the good works. I commend Dr Orhii for continuing in that tradition and taking NAFDAC to the next level. He has clearly shown that he believes in Dora and the works she did in NAFDAC and is willing to continue. This has made NAFDAC the toast of all Nigerians.
In most minds of Nigerians, Dora still lives on and will continue to be remembered for her dogged war on fake drugs.
Adieu Dora!
Mrs Shariff, National Chairman of Association of Lady Pharmacists, wrote from Abuja