Reformers Reality Events Enterprises (Nig) Invites members of the public to a Birthday Public lecture that will take place on Tuesday 14th July in honour of late Information and Communications Minister and Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC).Prof. Mrs Dora Nkem Akunyili.
The 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. Mrs. Dora Akunyili after death; A challenge to the contemporary leaders for a transformative, affective and effective National Leadership.
Other participants during the event will include husband of the late, Dr. Chike John Akunyili, Prof. (Mrs.) Viola Adaku Onwuliri, former Minister for State Education, His Excellences, Governors of the South-South, South East and Wives, Mr Linus Okorie, President Guardians of the Nations International, Mrs Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji President and Founder Rise Networks, Rev. Dr Obinna Nwoko, Managing Director, OsmoticVisions Nig. Ltd, Hon. Dr Chris Asoluka, Board Chairman Oil & Gas Free Zone, Hon. Barr Uche Onyeagucha, Former Member House of Representatives, Deacon D.N Igbo, Director ISOPADEC, Deacon Chike Okafor, Federal House Member Ehime Mbano,Ihitte-Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency, Senator Chris Anyanwu,Chief Kennedy Zanders, Dr Nma Olebara, Engr. Rowland A.K Obiyo, Dr. Fidel Onyenke, Engr. Nduwuisi Uba, Rev. Cmrd. Emma Omeokwe, Rev. I. C. Osuoha, Dr. Blessing Ijioma, Deputy Vice Chancellor Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri; Her Excellency Ada Okwuonu, former Deputy Governor, Imo State; Reformation Kids Band etc.
During the 2014 National Youth Summit Preparation/planning of the Reformers Initiative, the Director-General and Managing Director Reformers Reality Events Enterprises (Nig.), Prince Joseph Nwosu-Okorie made a commitment that the most befitting way to acknowledge and celebrate deeds and life of Prof. Mrs Dora Nkem Akunyili would be through annual Birthday memorial public lecture, which shall comprise human resources/capital development, leadership, self-discovering, empowerment, modeling and mentorship scheme etc.
Our vision as Reformers include immortalization outstanding individuals with overwhelming performance of Good deeds and life impact.
The Director General thought it wise to acknowledge the huge contribution made by the late Director General and federal Minister 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, the late Prof. Dora Akunyili, as the first female president of Nigeria that never was.
Late Prof. Akunyili was appointed Zonal Secretary of Petroleum Special Trust Fund (PTF), where she coordinated all projects in the five South Eastern States of Nigeria from 1997-2000.
Prof. Dora Akunyili was appointed Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria from April 2001-2008. Here she recorded outstanding success: prior to her appointment, Food and Drug regulation in Nigeria was Chaotic. All manner of adulterated, fake and substandard Food and Drugs were dumped into Nigeria resulting in over 60 percent of fake drugs in circulation.
Unscrupulous individuals made fortunes from such unwholesome practices. When she assumed office she brought in a new culture of excellence and honesty to NAFDAC and the entire Nigerian Public Service. As a result, the level of fake and counterfeit drugs in circulation dropped to 16.7 percent with vast improvement in the Food and other regulated sectors.
A commentator in a National Newspapers once wrote, “The NAFDAC Director General is a revolutionary. She has not only changed NAFDAC; she has also changed the pharmaceutical industry in the country”.
From December 2008-December 2010, she was nominated and appointed as the Honourable Minster of Information and communications, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
As the Honourable Minister, Prof. Mrs. Akunyili 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 endeavour.
Internationally, as Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Akunyili was appointed chairman of West African Drug Regulatory Agencies Network (WADRAN) in March 2006, and the Vice Chairman of the International Medical Products Anti-counterfeiting Task Force/Impact in November 2006. Reformers Initiative believes that the purpose of Public Lecture is to ensure that exceptional values and principles are carried forward from generation to generation.
The annual lectures will be themed with great emphasis on the issues that she was passionate about.
Date: Tuesday 14th July, 2015.
Time: 10.00am – 2:30 pm.
Venue: De Range Hotel: off PortHarcourt Road, Besides Specialist Hospital, World Bank Umuguma Owerri
Prince Joseph Nwosu-Okorie
