The remains of late former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, was committed to mother earth yesterday in Agulu, Aniocha local government area of Anambra State. Akunyili, who died on June 7 at the age of 59, was buried at exactly 2.15pm in the family compound.
The Madonna Catholic Church venue of the service, was filled to capacity with people outside the church outnumbering those inside the premises. The church, which wore a new look for the event, had never witnessed an event of this magnitude in the last six years, one of the church priests admitted.
At least 27 Catholic Bishops and over 150 other priests attended the burial of the former director general of the National Agency for Food, Drug administration and Control (NAFDAC). Francis Cardinal Arinze from Rome and John Cardinal Onaiyekan from Abuja and three other Archbishops, also graced the burial ceremony.
Other prominent Nigerians that stormed Agulu to pay their last respects to the late Amazon include former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), his wife Victoria; former Vice President Alex Ekwueme and wife Beatrice; and the wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Bola. Others were – Governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Isah Yuguda (Bauchi), wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Josephine Elechi, her Abia counterpart, Odochi Orji and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha.
Also in attendance were former Governors Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Peter Obi, Senator Chris Ngige, Dame Virgy Etiaba, Minister of Information and Communications Labaran Maku, and Sen. Joy Emodi.
In his homily, Rev. Damain Akpunonu said Akunyili’s death was a tragedy that wanted to reap the family and the country apart. “We have come here today not to bury Dora, to bury her is to concede victory to death. But Jesus Christ has conquered death”, Rev. Akpunonu said
May her soul rest in peace!
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