In line with some Nigerians, I’m not thrilled by the new assignment of Prof. Dora Akunyili, who is now the new Information and Communication Minister.
Before her new portfolio, Akunyili was head of Nigeria’s state food and drug administration, NAFDAC. A tough job, and a position she recorded unparalleled excellence.
[Dora] won praise from Nigerians in the past seven years for having cut down on counterfeit and dangerous medicines. Nigeria has been plagued by tainted, fake or untested drugs since it gained independence from Britain in 1960. When Akunyili took over her post in 2001, a staggering 80 percent of the medications sold in Nigeria were deficient in one way or another… – VOA.
In charge of information and communication, Dora Akunyili has become a “lame-duck bureaucrat” – a mouth-piece of the government who must put her opinions and sentiments aside and “fall in line” whatever the circumstance may be. Now she must operate under close supervision and direct authorization of Aso Rock.
This is a really a loss for Nigeria and great deviation from Akunyili’s days at NAFDAC — where “her tenure has been hailed as a huge success in a country plagued by tainted, fake or untested drugs”.
Dora Akunyuli is a tough gun who made several ground-breaking moves in the food and drug industry. She even survived several assassination attempts financed by ruthless, deep pocketed merchants of Onitsha and Aba markets — Nigeria’s ground zero of the fake drugs and medicine business.
Her remarkably successful seven-year stint at NAFDAC was made possible not only because she is committed and driven by excellence, but because she operated almost under 100% autonomy, away from the undue — and often corrupting — interference of the federal government.
Media reports informed that the medicine merchants at Aba and Onitsha markets erupted into jubilation when Akunyili’s removal was announced. They were seen with their guns shooting into the air to celebrate.
And I thought to myself, they have very reason to celebrate…Akunyili’s removal may very well mark the demise of NAFDAC.
@imnakoya, i do not see Dora Akinluyi’s new posting as a tragic loss to NAFDAC nor as problem for Nigeria. Looking on the positive side, if Dora has had 7 years of success in NAFDAC she must have trained a few and there would definitely be someone else capable of following on. This is actually a good time for her to move considering the NAFDAC MY PIKIN killer drug failure.
Dora if given the chance could do very well as an image maker for Nigeria as Information and Communication Minister. We just need to pray that she doesnt become are arse licker but continues as an arse kicker in her new role.It is too early to start calling her “lame duck etc”.
As crazy as Yaradua’s ministerial list looks, there could be some “wild card” success in the radical and unethical shake up. God to revolve and allow evolvement. Let us wait and see.
For those jubilating that Dora has been removed from NAFDAC, I pray God sends a sterner replacement for Dora, for fake drugs and water, food items etc must never be allowed to flood Nigerian markets again.
December 19, 2008 at 4:07 am
ooohps sorry i meant “good to revolve”…
December 19, 2008 at 4:08 am
Dangote do not more than 5% idear of his products, But what made him what he is today is the ability of putting the right people in the right place.
Yes i know people will say ” what idear does DORE have in the information industry’ In the past we had had people with vast idears even people who studied information technology and management in the IT industry. They are all theives, they lack co-ordination and personal development. They are not skilled enough to handle such position.
Dora is the right person.
Mr President can now talk.
December 19, 2008 at 12:34 pm
What I struggle with is the function of an image maker — particularly in a place like Nigeria. I believe there are better ways to make use of Akunyili than using her as a mouth-piece and image-maker for a country that seems bent on getting things messed up.
On post-Akunyili NAFDAC, I refer readers to what happened after Ribadu left EFCC.
December 19, 2008 at 4:15 pm
This article on Punch – NUJ rejects Akunyili as Information minister – captures the tone of this post quite well.
December 19, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Segun, I read the post but could not see the real substance of the so called rejection. Yes words were used to show NUJ are not happy with what they perceive an insult but I was sort of searching for particular examples of why theyre rejecting Dora.
Imnakoya, Nigeria yes has a knack for not getting things right but sometimes the unexpected changes does bring results. The problem I now see in this matter is that even if Dora were to be a good Minister in the Information sector, all these attacks on her will not see her perform well, except she is really a very strong woman.
Secondly the EFCC post Ribadu is a bit different from NAFDAC post Dora. Why? Ribadu was removed to give some people the chance to excape judgement and also to get back at OBJ re how he appointed and used Ribadu as sniff and bite dog. Now why would anyone knowingly take Dora from NAFDAC so that NAFDAC could fail? Se killer drugs or killer other things, even pure water, is what we want to see flourish in Nigeria? Only a deranged President (like Mugabe) will want to do this. I dont think Yaradua has gone that far in the mental field.
Then what proof do we have that Dora is meant to be used as a mouthpiece? I think Dora is strong enough to be an image builder for Nigeria and not a Lame Duck.
Lastly, why the interest in only Dora Akinluyi? What about other Ministers who are worse off and low down than Dora Akinluyi?
December 20, 2008 at 1:12 pm
One more thing Imnakoya, if there isnt much good for Dora in the Information sector, why is NUJ raving. Of course they believe theirs is a worthy profession and Dora I believe is a worthy Minister. Give Dora Akinluyi a chance. She has been picked and I dont see Yaradua changing his mind now. Id NAFDAC new HOD needs assistance or advice from Dora, she is not out of the country is she?
December 20, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Imnakoya, one more thing (just came to mind) have we considered that Dora Akinluyi could be able to give Yaradua good advice as opposed to just passing on everything from Yaradua? She could be just what will work and wake the sleepy man.
December 20, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Thanks for the comments, Omotaylor.
Dora Akunyili is a woman of high integrity and capability, this is not in dispute. And I believe given the chance she will make huge strides in her new capacity.
However, the issue being raised is that an administrator of Akunyili’s caliber ought to have been given a more appropriate portfolio that will augment her strengths. This is a woman that went tow-to-tow with one of the most formidable crime syndicates in the world, and she did kick their asses!!!
Dora will do well as the Health Minister – a ministry in deed need of revitalizing, don’t you think? Since Dr Olikoye Ransome Kuti’s exit, nothing much is going on there. Besides, the Health portfolio relates more to Dora’s previous job at NAFDAC than her new information & communication mandate, a job that tends to lean more towards protecting the executive/Aso Rock’s interest than the Nigerian people.
Of course, the appointment has been sealed, but that doesn’t precludes the sorts of discussion. Dora has proven she isn’t about maintaining the status quo — at her new job she will be doing more of that, unfortunately.
Here is my concern about NAFDAC and why I used the EFCC as an example: When Ribadu departed EFCC, we have all seen what EFCC has become – the former Edo State governor cut the most incredible deal with EFCC to escape serving a jail time, files on Ibori and many others have suddenly disappeared, you know what I’m talking about. Going by this precedence isn’t it in order to fear for NAFDAC now that Akunyili is gone?
December 22, 2008 at 11:34 am
Comprehendo, imnakoya. EFCC cut the deal with Igbenidion and pretended it was done against their knowledge and went further to put up a pretext attempt to fight this at a higher court. ~So I see well well what you are saying. First the post sounded as if Dora was inadequate but with your explanations I understand that Dora is not the problem. One little worry is that ~Dora is not complaining. Does she know something we dont? Is she only too happy to exit NAFDAC after the “My Pikin” tragedy? I still wonder why anyone in their right senses will want to disrupt NAFDAC or lessen their effectiveness. But then this is Nigeria, a land of numerous negative wonders.
What can we do? We wait and see and tell Yaradua “I told you so” or we pray hard that NAFDAC does not go the same way as EFCC. I understand about 6 people are already showing interest in Dora’s former position as head of NAFDAC. I pray that the right person who will not endager Nigerian lives further is appointed. Thanks for the patience Imnakoya. Peace
December 22, 2008 at 2:02 pm
I really think Dora has done a very good job so far for Nigeria. There is nothing lame about her aspiring to be in a better position. The question on our lips should be is it for the right reason? Well lets all sit and watch cos frankly we cant do anything from where we all are. Personally il say go girl to Dora rather than criticise her. I bet she had critics when she started off at NAFDAC years later we all say Wow!!! she’s amazing. So lets sit and wait for that Wow moment now.
Cheers
February 23, 2009 at 10:45 am
Ugo, I agree with you all the way
February 25, 2009 at 3:35 am
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March 11, 2012 at 4:13 pm
im not here to praise anybody and the only thing i want to tell Dora Akunyili is 4 her to live my only brother she jail in Abuja since 4years now, she herslf no it to well dat my brother did nothing to her. it is because we ar poor! if anything happen to my brother and my parents dat hv been thinking of it since then God will never be happy wit her.
June 15, 2012 at 4:54 pm
that u ar in power does not mean u we use authority to wicked the poor, DORA AKUNYILI we hv cry a lot. please my family beg u in the Name of God to live Christopher Mba 4 us alive.
June 15, 2012 at 5:00 pm