Women Development Center, Awka renamed Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Center Governor, Willie Obiano.

 

The Women Development Center, Awka has been renamed as the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Center, Awka by Anambra governor, Willie Obiano.The renaming of the centre after the former Minister of Information and NAFDAC DG who died of cancer in 2014, was announced by the governor on the same day a memorial mass was held in her honour.The event was attended by prominent citizens like Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Vice President, Chief Victor Umeh, former National Chairman of APGA, Iyom Josephine Aneni, PDP Women Leader, Onyeka Onwenu, the embattled DG of the National Center for Women Development as well as some members of the Anambra State Executive Council Members.

Remembering Akunyili in a brief speech titled “Immortalizing Prof. Dora Akunyili,” the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano described her as a beloved sister, daughter, wife, mother, teacher, moralist, crusader, role model, merchant of hope and angel of light, pointing out that in gathering to immortalize her, Ndi Anambra were simply trying to remind themselves that “the greatest legacy a man or woman can leave is a good name. Brothers and sisters, we are gathered here to affirm the wise saying of our elders that ezi afa ka ego – a good name is better than gold!”“We are familiar with her courage in the face of extreme danger; her unwavering commitment to the cause she believed in even when a bullet peeled off her head gear, her passionate speech at the National Conference while she endured the biting pains of cancer and of course her blunt refusal to be cowed when the struggle for succession that followed the death of President Yar’Adua needed a rallying point,” he said.Referring to Akunyili’s brave position at the height of the battle to prevent the then vice president Goodluck Jonathan from being made acting president when late President Umaru Yaradua took seriously ill, Governor Obiano said “She has taught us that it is better to stand alone for righteousness than to enjoy the momentary satisfaction that comes from standing in the company of others.”