By DAVID-CHYDDY ELEKE, Awka

The remains of the husband of late Prof. Dora Akunyili, former Minister of Information and Director General of National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr Chike Akunyili, have been laid to rest at his home town, Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Several dignitaries graced the burial mass held in his honour at Madonna Catholic Church, Agulu to pay tribute to the medical practitioner.

Akunyili had been killed on September 28 at Nkpor, near Onitsha by gunmen, while being chauffeur-driven from Onitsha, on his way to his base in Enugu. He had received a posthumous award bestowed on his late wife, Prof. Dora Akunyili, by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Alumni Association when the incident took place.

He was killed alongside his driver and security aide, just as several other persons were said to have been killed on the same day.

Dignitaries, who were at Madonna Catholic Church, Agulu to witness the burial of the late Chike praised his humility and exemplary life, while urging all to emulate his simplicity.

The dignitaries included a former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi and his wife, Margaret; a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Senator Victor Umeh and his wife, Prisca; Anambra State deputy governor-elect, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim, and others.

The children of the late Akunyili, most of whom are based overseas, were also on ground to bury their dad, and also showered him with encomiums for being an exemplary father.

There was weeping and wailing as his body was moved from St. Charles Boromeo Hospital mortuary in Onitsha to his community on Thursday for the final rites before he was finally committed to mother earth. (THISDAY)

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