The Anambra State Government has renamed the Women Development Centre in the state capital, Awka, after the late Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili, OFR, who was at various times Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Minister of Information and Communications.

The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr (Mrs) Uju Nwogu, said in a public service announcement that the formal renaming ceremony would hold tomorrow, September 5, as part of the memorial programmes in honor of the late Amazon, who hailed from the state.

“As part of the memorial ceremony, the State Government will name Professor Akunyili in recognition of her sterling contributions and outstanding service to Anambra State and Nigeria in general,” Mrs. Nwogu said.

“The ceremony,” according to her, “will also feature a concelebrated Holy Mass, a documentary on the life and times of the late Professor Dora Akunyili, tributes by the academia, representatives of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and some top government functionaries.

“His Excellency the Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, will also use the occasion to unveil the plaque symbolising the renaming of the State Women Development Centre after the late erudite Professor.

“Ndi Anambra both at home and in Diaspora are by this announcement invited to the ceremony which will kick off at the Women Development Centre, Awka by 10am.”

News Express reports that the ceremonies started today with the first Dora Akunyili Memorial Lecture in neighbouring Enugu State, where the Akunyili family is based.

Prof. Akunyili, who died on June 7, 2014 after a two-year battle with cancer, was buried on August 28 in her husband’s compound in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

•Photo shows late Dora Akunyili.

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