Nigeria’s immediate past Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, has expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their outpouring of love and concern following rumours about her alleged ill health.

Writing on her Facebook wall, the former Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said: “Thank you, my dear friends, for your outpouring of love and words of encouragement. I very much appreciate. As I did say on Saturday shortly after reading the false story, the news of my alleged hospitalisation and anxiety over my health came to me as a big shock. It is simply embarrassing.

“I left Nigeria for the US on January 3, 2014, personally boarding a United Airlines flight from Lagos. I went to the airport by myself and was never rushed abroad. As I write, I have not visited any doctor or clinic since my arrival in America.

As I said earlier, even though I was sick last year, I have since recovered. I am currently having a well deserved rest and eagerly look forward to returning home to Nigeria soonest.”

News Express recalls that Prof. Akunyili had on Saturday morning promptly dismissed a newspaper report claiming that she is hospitalised in the U.S. and that there is anxiety over the state of her health.

A statement from her media office had described the story as one that is “false, misleading and raises unnecessary anxiety about Prof. Akunyili’s sate of health.”

According to the statement, “For the record, Prof. Akunyili is not hospitalised and there is no anxiety whatsoever over her state of health. It is true that she was sick LAST YEAR but she is well now. She is currently visiting her children in the U.S. and is living an active life.

“Contrary to the claim by the reporter that she has not appeared in public for long, Prof. Akunyili attended last Saturday’s Reception for Anambra Governor-elect, Chief Willie Obiano, organised by USAfrica in collaboration with Anambra Communities in the Diaspora at Hilton Westchase Towers, Hilton, Texas, USA. Prof. Akunyili’s presence at the Reception was well reported, especially online.

“The story on Prof. Akunyili’s alleged sickness, therefore, lacks substance. It should be disregarded by the public.”

•Photo shows Prof. Akunyili.