Date Published: 02/25/10

My Dear Sir,

Prof Dora Akunyili has gone too far

Professor Dora Akunyili when she was at the NAFDAC was regarded as a fearless tigress. She was a no-nonsense government official who brought sanity in our pharmaceutical and food industries.

She later was pushed into party politics, became Minister in a ‘grey’ area - Information and Communications. This was greeted with so much bad comments but she carried on and thereafter stability thought of a pet project called “Rebranding” that again got much knocks than kudos because of suspicion that it was not borne out of sincerity. She rebranded her daughter by giving her out in marriage to a foreigner in a costly and well publicized wedding show live on AIT television. She had earlier picked up quarrel with the hardworking Ernest Ndukwe, the NCC Vice-Chairman. Thereafter she was engulfed in an N8.2billion NTA equipment refurbishing saga which she informed the nation that it was for the coverage of the Under-17 world cup being hosted by Nigeria. NTA did not only fail to get the broadcast right but also did not feature any of the played matches. The equipments still have not arrived Nigeria.

The Yar’Adua ill-health problem arrived and she tried to defend the President and when she noticed that as a hard knot, she exploded; that the Yar’Adua must allow the country to move forward. This brought her great relief and applause. She got insulted by Aondoakaa who later apologized publicly.

But probably carried away by what could be referred to as a morbid or excessive self admiration, she tried calling Anambra PDP stakeholders to an Abuja meeting. It was a flop as it was greeted with apathy that left her ignored by the expected attendees. She was not qualified to call such meeting, she was told. She is also fond of hobnobbing with praise of ‘rebranding’ a State governor who the public know full well swimming in corruption but pretending to be working very hard. She is now being described as an opportunist. One other thing – people complain that she smiles ‘stupidly’ when posing for photographs with others. One hopes she smarts out of these and thereafter plays cool and right.

Dike Ohia, PhD, Road 8, Festac Town, Lagos State

ikeohia@yahoo.com