Immediate past Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, has bagged the 2014 Ikenga Award for Excellence, a prestigious and global platform award given annually to achievers from the South East whose contributions have led to the speedy growth and development of Nigeria, particularly Ndigbo.

The award, according to the Director General of Ikenga Foundation, Hon. Ben C. Ugwu MNI (Okeagu) was given to Prof. Akunyili “in recognition of the massive impact she has created in Nigeria and in the war against corruption and fake drugs sector and especially her technicality in seeing that Nigeria is one of the corruption-free countries in the world.”

The impressive award ceremony was held over the weekend at the Nike Lake Resort Hotel Enugu.

Prof. Akunyili, currently a delegate to the national Conference in Abuja, was represented by her husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili, who received the award on her behalf. Dr. Akunyili in his acceptance speech thanked the organisers for honouring his wife. He said that even though Dora has received hundreds of awards from across the world, the Ikenga Award for Excellence is special, coming from her kinsmen and long after she left public office.

Others honoured at the ceremony included Ezeogo Dr. Akanu Ibiam (posthumous Life Time Award); Chief Innocent Chukwuma OON (Innoson Group) for Industry; immediate past Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah OON (Public Service Award); and former Super Eagles Coach Christian Chukwu Okoro.

•Photo shows Prof. Akunyili in her award room.