Delta state Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah Esq., has expressed condolences on behalf of media practitioners in Delta state to the Akunyili family, saying that the late Dora Akunyili contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

A statement titled, “Akunyili: We Lost A Pride Of The Nation”, dated June 15, 2014 and signed by Barr. Ogeah reads:

“The untimely demise of Prof. Dora Akunyili, undoubtedly one of the most vibrant women public servants in Nigeria as Minister of Information, came to us as a rude shock.

“We recall that under her watch as Minister of Information, the Freedom of Information Bill was passed into law by the National Assembly. As minister, she executed her brief creditably to the acclaim of not just the media community but the entire populace even though, just like me, she was not a trained journalist.

“And as a pharmacist and administrator per excellence, she gained international recognition and won many awards for her work in pharmacology, public health and human rights among others. And as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), she prioritised the eradication of counterfeit and expired drugs and foods even at the risk of her life.

“Prof. Akunyili was a vibrant and visionary leader, erudite scholar distinguished citizen and patriot, a woman of rare courage and integrity whose passing on has left a very big vacuum at this time that the country needed to tap more from her wealth of experience.

“We take solace in the fact that while she lived, Akunyili affected many lives positively and contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Nigeria. On behalf of the media practitioners in the State, we express our heartfelt condolence to the Akunyili family.

“We pray that God Almighty will grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, and for the deceased a peaceful rest.”