| ‘I didn’t
even know the full meaning of NAFDAC when I was appointed
D-G in 2001’
By OMODELE ADIGUN
Friday July 30, 2004
|
•Dr Akunyili with
Mrs Stella Obasanjo Photos: JIMMY ADEFOLALU |
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A good turn, they say, deserves another. This saying was
provedright Saturday in Lagos when a BMW car worth over N4
million was presented as birthday gift to Dr (Mrs) Dora Akunyili,
the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug
Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The gift was from the nation’s pharmaceutical companies
under the aegis of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of the
Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (PMANG of MAN)
Its president, Mr Emmanuel Ebere, said it was meant to show
appreciation to the woman who had saved their businesses from
the clutches of unscrupulous fake drug barons.
The presentation of the car was done by the First Lady, Mrs
Stella Obasanjo, at a colourful birthday party which drew
notable Nigerians from all walks of life.
Apart from President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was ably represented
by his wife, the roll call included two former Heads of State,
Generals Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar, Governors
Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Lagos), Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu), Achike
Udenwa (Imo), Mr Femi Pedro (Deputy Governor, Lagos), Dr Shehu
Zagbayi (Deputy Governor, Niger State) Professor Charles Soludo
(CBN Governor), Dr (Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Finance Minister),
Dr Leke Pitan, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, among
other dignitaries.
Almost everybody who spoke to Daily Sun described the woman
in glowing terms, here are some of them:
Dr Leke Pitan, Commissioner for Health, Lagos State
She is an icon of hope. She has something to thank God for,
particularly, on what she has gone through. On the sensitive
position she occupies, she has demonstrated what is possible
in public office in terms of honesty and credibility. I think
she deserves the support we have all given her. It is only
in doing so that we can signpost the fact that when you are
in public office and you are honest, you can be recognised
and appreciated by this nation.
Therefore, there is a hope for all of us as a nation. And
it is not just the question of hero worshipping those who
are just in office or those who have money by whatever means.
But that those in office and are serving honestly, diligently
can be eulogised. That is what all these things are about.
Honestly, I am proud to be associated with that. We have come
a long way; we started together in the healthcare sector.
I am happy for her, for her family and particularly for this
nation that we have a number of people in office whom the
nation can be proud of.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Finance Minister
I think she is fantastic; she is doing a great job. We all
ought to support her. I am very happy for her today.
Achike Udenwa, Imo State Governor
She has been able to recall what God has done for her and
she has called all of us to join her and glorify God. I think
she has done well in life and it is nice of her to know that
whatever success she has made in life is by the grace of God.
Government should continue to protect people like her.
The government has given her opportunity and she has made
use of the opportunity for others to emulate her; that people
should have courage, people should have integrity and whatever
you are given to do, do it well. That is what she has done
and that is why she has excelled.
Dr Chimaroke Nnamani, Enugu State Governor
We give glory to God and we associate with excellence, a true
amazon, a hard worker and a role model; a lady of destiny.
General Yakubu Gowon
She deserves every encomium that is being showered on her.
It is quite commendable the way she tried to ensure that Nigerian
people are not killed by fake drugs.
Responding to the showers of praises, Akunyili gave all glory
to God for sparing her life and for raising her from nonentity
to a celebrity. Hear her:
"I thank God that today what I am celebrating is my life
and not my obituary. I give glory to God for saving me from
those bullets that spinned off my head gear last year. In
fact what I saw that day in December was a first class miracle.
"I equally thank God for protecting me from the juju
of those that put tortoise in my office. All those who wished
my death, Holy Ghost had attacked them all.
"Nigeria is worth dying for; Nigerians are the most appreciating
people in the whole world. Nigerians are a wonderful people.
"That April in 2001, when I was appointed as the Director-General
of NAFDAC, I knew I didn’t have the capacity to do the
work. I didn’t know anything about NAFDAC nor did I
even know its meaning. I rushed to God in prayer that He should
use me to achieve what is humanly impossible, and all glory
belongs to Him. He answered my prayer and.
He has since been using me. When I look at myself, I always
say God, you have done wonders in my life. The Lord changed
my dust to gold, my brass to diamond, and he raised me from
being a nonentity to a celebrity. He removed my pain and sicknesses,
he barred death from me and allowed me to be 50 years."
The NAFDAC boss didn’t forget to thank the first family
for being there for her at all times as well as those who
have been supporting her in her call to duty.
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