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Akunyili: Loss Of A Rare Gem

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Late Prof. Dora Akuyili

Late Prof. Dora Akuyili

The UN Special
Rappoteur on Trafficking on Women and Children, Dr Joy Ezeilo, has said that the womenfolk has lost an “extraordinary trail blazer and inspiring woman of courage.” If you are acquainted with the life and activities of Prof. Dora Nkem Akunyili, you will join her to say that Nigeria would definitely Miss her vibrancy, courage and leadership.
For a woman who spent her life serving humanity, news about the death of Prof. Dora Akunyili was such that did not go down well with many Nigerians as some suspected it to be a mistake of the press, expecting a corrigendum afterall. But it is real, the “Amazon” is indeed gone!
An epitome of rare values of integrity, diligence, dedication, courage and altruism in the various capacities that she served the nation, this “quintessential” personality, as described by the Enugu State president of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Dr Rita Ngwu, will be greatly missed by women she had inspired to greater height.
Prof. Dora Nkem Akunyili is one name that has gained recognition in virtually every home in Nigeria. The reason was simply because she was at every point in time an exemplary leader. An internationally renowed pharmacist, pharmacologist, erudite scholar, seasoned administrator, her appearance in the drug and food industry popularised her.
Amidst numerous positions of authority occupied by Prof. Akunyili in her life time, serving as the Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control  (NAFDAC) 2001-2008, was one opportunity that highlighted her potentials as she recorded outstanding success.
Prior to her appointment, food and drug regulation in Nigeria was chaotic. All manner of adulterated, fake and substandard foods and drugs were dumped into Nigeria. Unscrupulous individuals made fortunes from such unwholesome practices. However, her altruistic disposition brought in a culture of excellence and honesty to NAFDAC and the entire Nigerian public service.
The level of fake and counterfeit drugs in circulation dropped drastically to an insignificant percentage with remarkable improvement in food and other regulated sectors. This was possible in view of her firm posture against counterfeit drugs which did not only devalue the image of Nigeria, but wreaked havoc on the health of the citizenry. She did not only change NAFDAC, she also changed the pharmaceutical industry in the country.
Prof Dora Akunyili was one woman who not only knew the truth, she stood for the truth and defended the truth no matter whose ox is gored so long as it served the interest and the good of the populace. Dora actually saved many lives as Director-General of NAFDAC. The role she played during the “exaggerated bird flu” era will forever remain indelible in the minds of all poultry farmers in Nigeria.
She did not only safe- guard the major source of protein to humanity (poultry), she also returned foods to the tables of poor poultry farmers who had almost lost their source of livelihood to the purported “bird flu” scam.
This same woman during her days as a minister of information, dared the “devil” and broke the jinx that kept Nigerians in dilemma as to the health condition of the then president of Nigeria, (Late President Umar Yar’Adua).
While the information released to the press had remained that the Late president was in good form and would soon be back to continue the business of governance; a ploy that was aimed at retaining power and denying President Goodluck Jonathan the chance to ascend the presidential seat, she braced up and declared that the people cannot be fooled for too long, she rather told the nation the true position of the late president, advising that the right thing, which was to let president Goodluck Jonathan, who was then his second in command constitutionally take over the mantle of leadership, be done.
Her passion for Nigeria was outstanding. This she demonstrated as she tried to change the unfair and bad rating Nigeria gets at the world stage. For Dora,  Nigerians deserve tremendous respect and regard from other countries. She was quite optimistic and confident that Nigeria’s image could actually be changed if Nigerians must be willing to do the right thing at the right time and for the right reasons. This made her embark on a project to rebrand Nigeria.
It is surprising to note that even in bad health; her passion for the wellbeing of the people of Nigeria could still drive her to participate in serious national matters. Her appearance as a delegate at the ongoing National Conference in Abuja, underscored her undying love for the nation by defying her pains.
Even in death, Dora remains a force to reckon with. Her rare and sterling qualities as displayed both in her private and public activities are handy in grooming future leaders.
Although Prof Dora Nkem Akunyili may have gone, but she cannot be forgotten. Her remarkable performances at NAFDAC bear eloquent testimony of the very stuff she was made of.

 

Sylvia ThankGod Amadi

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Women

The Wise Woman

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The wise woman builds her home. Mothers are supposed to live exemplary lives. The roles of mothers in the building of the modern Christian home cannot be overemphasized.
The function of the mother is to help the man build the home. She is a helper. A helper to the husband when the man is not doing well. It is important for the wise woman to assist when the man is not able to meet up with the items needed in the home.
A wise woman needs to reference God first and then the husband. Also the wise woman should respect her husband.
Caring for her own children as well as others is very crucial.
Do not despise children from other mothers. Discipline the child who is going the wrong way.
Ensure family bonding, show love and don’t discriminate. Connection with children is very important, especially the females. Find out who is her friend. Also find out the kind of lives they live. Caution, counsel and guide so that they make good partners.
Teaching children the dos and donts should start from birth. Inculcate the word of God in them so that when they grow, will not depart from it.
From the Scripture, some women influenced their families positively. Virgin Mary influenced the world, she never destroyed herself hence she gave birth to Jesus Christ.
Elizabeth, despite her age, God blessed her as she waited patiently.
A wise should curb favouritism in the family and love children equally. Whether a child is your biological child or not, it is necessary to show love equally. Reprimanding the children should be the function of both man and wife.

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Women

The Desire Of Every Woman In Marriage

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Marriage is beautiful when there is love. Before and after marriage, couples show love to themselves. But you discover that after some years, that same love turn to be something else. A lot of people start going through emotional trauma in the hands of their loved spouses.
There are many things the woman desires to keep the love on as far as marriage is concerned.
Women are blesssed with feminine abilities that can be used for good in husbands lives. With your abilities, you can create a marriage that will last till couples get old.
A woman needs
man that is honest,  trustworthy,  nice,  loving and financially stable.
There are no two ways about finance in marriage. No matter the level of love, if there is no reasonable finance,  it is always difficult to manage the home.
Referring to the Biblical belief in Genesis 3: “Your desire  shall be unto you…….. “
What this means is that whatever the woman desires in life shall be provided as far as she performs her role in her home. There are many things  the woman expects her husband to take care of.
A woman wants a husband that is not lazy,  at least helping to do one or two things when he is at home.
A man that is educated and intelligent so that they will transfer such traits to their children.
Knowing that there are traits that her husband has,  traits of taking care of people,  giving freely to people and caring for her family. She expects him to exhibit them.
A woman wants to love a husband that has family interest at heart. A man that spends time with his family,  remembering his family even as he is away from home.
No matter where he finds himself, he is not destracted by external influence. He returns home to his loved ones.
A woman should not antagonise her husband because of one error or the other. No matter the level of offence he may have committed, you still show some love.
According to the Scripture, it is with wisdom that a woman builds her home. As far as he rreturns home, you accept him as your own.
It is not as if the woman will not monitor her husband, but to certain limit.  Don’t be a monitoring spirit.  Don’t allow anything to take your joy.
Don’t loose trust in your husband. The idea of checking your husband’s phone should be discouraged. The more you check your husband and his phone, the more you loose your joy.
You can show some form of jealousy, but to an extent. Cooperation, respect and being honoured from time to time is what the woman desires.
The home should not be a battle ground for a woman and man.  A woman should be able to ask herself if the check on her husband will pay her any good.
Draw a line to a point where you checkmate your husband’s activities.
A woman wants a man that will love her and telling her you love her will be all she desires.

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Women

The Desire Of Every Woman In Marriage

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A woman needs a man that is honest,  trustworthy,  nice,  loving and financially stable.
There are no two ways about finance in marriage. No matter the level of love, If there is no money,  it is always difficult.


Referring to the Biblical belief in Genesis 3:Your desire  shall be unto you……..
That is one aspect  the woman expects her husband to take care of.
A woman wants a husband that is not lazy,  at least helping to do one or two things.   A man that is educated and intelligent.
She knows that there is a trait that her husband has.  Traits of taking care of people,  giving freely to people and caring for her family.
A woman wants to love a husband that has family interest at heart. A man that spends time with his family,  remembering his family even as he is away from home.
A woman should not antagonise her husband because of one error or the other. No matter the level of offence he may have committed, you still show some love.


According to the Scripture, it is with wisdom that the women builds her home.
It is not as if the woman will not monitor her husband, but to certain limit.  Don’t be a monitoring spirit.  Don’t allow anything to take your joy.
Don’t loose trust in your husband.
The idea of checking your husband’s phone should be discouraged. The more you check your husband and his phone, the more you loose your joy.


The home should not be a battle ground for a woman and man.  A woman should be able to ask herself if the check on her husband will pay her any good.
Draw a line to a point where you checkmate your husband’s activities.
A woman wants a man that will love her and telling her you love her will be all she desires.

Eunice Choko-Kayode

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