A group Reformers Reality Events Enterprises (Nig) based in Imo State is making moves to immortalize late female icon Prof. Dora Nkem Akunyili with an annual birthday lecture.
The group which referred to late Prof. Akunyili as the only female president Nigeria never had said it is high time Igbos started immortalizing their heroes and heroines to encourage others who are planning on toeing that path of sacrifice for the Igbo Nation and Nigeria as a whole.
According to the leader of the group, Prince Joseph Nwosu-Okorie, the former Information and Communications Minister and Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in her times set a record no one has dared to break and she deserves a place in the hearts of unborn Nigerians.
“Our vision as Reformers include immortalizing outstanding individuals with overwhelming performance of good deeds and life impact. We thought it wise to acknowledge the huge contributions made by late Prof. Dora Akunyili on the significance of National Advocacy/image laundry and uncompromising stand against fake drugs crime.
Nigerians and Foreigners will recall her passion, drive and determination to transform and sanitized these sectors at the detriment of her life while alive.
Many commentators see her as the first female president of Nigeria that never was and as a Minister, she anchored the Re-branding Nigeria project driven by the slogan, Nigeria, Good people, Great Nation. The programme was conceived as an internal process to address Nigeria’s negative image both at home and abroad. Prof. Dora proved her versatility in all areas of human endeavor” He said.
Mr. Nwosu-Okorie added that Prof. Akunyili is a contemporary heroine for the Igbo nation because aside the likes Dr. Nnamdi Azike, Chief Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and others whose tales he met in history books, she was one a pacesetter Nigeria youths can emulate in the contemporary world.
The inaugural lecture will be delivered by Prof. B.E.B Nwoke, former Vice Chancellor Imo State University Owerri under the theme ‘The Resounding Impact of Prof. Dora Akunyili after death; A challenge to the contemporary leaders for a transformative, affective and effective National Leadership’ and lots of dignitaries are expected at event including her husband, Dr. Chike John Akunyili.
Governors of the South-South and South East states; former Minister for State Education Prof. Viola Adaku Onwuliri, Deacon Chike Okafor, Senator Chris Anyanwu, Chief Kennedy Zanders, Dr Nma Olebara, Engr. Rowland A.K Obiyo, Mr Linus Okorie, Mrs Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, Rev. Dr Obinna Nwoko, Hon. Dr Chris Asoluka, Hon. Barr Uche Onyeagucha amongst others are among the guests expected at the event which will be taking place on Tuesday July 14, 2015 at De Range Hotel, off Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, Imo State by 10.00am.
