Dora Akunyili is alive, aide says

“She is grateful to Nigerians for their prayers and remains confident that Almighty God will hear our prayers and grant her quick recovery.”

The media advisor to former Minister of Information, Dora Akunyili, Isaac Umunna, has denied reports circulating on social media that the former minister is dead.

“My attention has been drawn to the rumour circulating on social media claiming that immediate past Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, is dead.

“I have also received several enquiries in this regard,” Mr. Umunna said in a statement on Friday.

He said the rumour was not only “baseless, but also the height of wickedness”.

The rumours began last week Friday with posts on social media that the health of the former Information Minister who is suffering from Cancer has deteriorated and that she had been flown to India for treatment.

Mrs. Akunyili’s ailment gained public attention when, as a delegate, she appeared in an emaciated state at the ongoing National Conference in Abuja.

In his statement on Friday, Mr. Umunna said, “I spoke with Dora’s husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili, and her brother, Dr. Francis Anayo Edemobi, both of whom are with her in the hospital, and they both assured me that she is responding to treatment. The conversation took place from 2:20 this afternoon and lasted for some minutes”.

He also stated that Mrs. Akunyili fell sick over the weekend and was first attended to by doctors in Abuja but had to travel to India on Sunday on the advice of the doctors for further medical attention.

“She is grateful to Nigerians for their prayers and remains confident that Almighty God will hear our prayers and grant her quick recovery.

“The public is advised to disregard any rumours or reports to the contrary. Those engaged in spreading this satanic rumour should desist. What Prof. Akunyili need at this time is not prophesies of doom or alarming false reports about her health condition but continued prayers and best wishes,” Mr. Umunna said.

Dora Akunyili became popular when, as head of the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, she spearheaded the battle against fake drugs and their manufacturers which were hitherto common in Nigeria.