On behalf of the Akunyili’s family, I wish to officially confirm the death of Prof. (Mrs.) Dora Nkem Akunyili, OFR, in a Specialist Cancer Hospital in India this morning at 10 am, Nigerian Time, after a two-year battle with cancer,” he said in a statement released to the media by Isaac Umunna, Media Advisor to Dora Akunyili.
The full statement below:
On behalf of the Akunyili’s family, I
wish to officially confirm the death of Prof. (Mrs.) Dora Nkem
Akunyili, OFR, in a Specialist Cancer Hospital in India this morning at
10 am, Nigerian Time, after a two-year battle with cancer.In spite her
illness, Prof. Akunyili was unwavering in her belief in a better
Nigeria. That was why she defied her condition and was part of Anambra
State Handover Committee and the National Conference.
The last time I visited her in India,
even when she needed all the prayers herself, she was full of concern
for the abducted Chibok girls, security and other challenges facing the
country and told me that she remained prayerful for the release of those
girls and for God to help President Goodluck Jonathan to overcome all
the challenges facing the Nation. She therefore urged all Nigerians to
remain prayerful and committed to building a better society for our
children. We all prayed together and I promised to be visiting her every
month.
We thank all those who remain fervent
in prayers for her recovery and urge them to remain prayerful for the
peaceful repose of her soul.