By
Sunday Dare
I
have struggled with writing a befitting piece for Dora Akunyili since her cruel
demise. And this is why. In the less than six months that I worked closely with
her in Abuja at the Ministry of information and Communications, I was unable to
come to terms with her undying belief that Nigeria was still the greatest
country in the world. For her, no country had all of God's blessings together
in one piece like Nigeria. Nigeria, to her, had the ingredients to attain
greatness. It was only a matter of time.
If
I shared her faith, I could not share her optimism about Nigeria. Where she saw
greatness, I saw something different. Where she saw hope for a better country,
I saw a bleak future. But no one could stop her or change her passion for
Nigeria. Consummate in her endeavors and committed to achieving set goals, Dora
Akunyili had no comparison. Even from a distance, one could sense her commitment
and share in her dream.
I
became part of that dream as I worked with her to see how best to change the
Nigerian narrative through the 'Good People, Great Nation' mantra. If that
effort came short, it was not that she did not put in her all. It was due to the
fact that millions of Nigerians have lost hope that Nigeria can be redeemed.
Yet,
I saw her many times climb down from the mountain of optimism and faith for a
better country to the valley of despair and angst. It was at such moments that
I saw the innermost pains of her soul. She agonized about how key people
in key positions sabotaged Nigeria instead of bandaging her up to heal.
I
saw her many times working the phones at frenetic pace to rally all she knew to
make sure certain injustice was redressed or a key decision was taken. She was
unstoppable even at moments when her faith confronts the stony ground and
Nigeria disappoints her. Dora never disappointed Nigeria.
Now,
you know a bit of why I struggled with what to write. Not because the words and
poetry would fail me. No. It is simply because words, mere words could not do
justice to who she was, what she stood for and why there will be only one
Dora.
Her
public service career, though like a fairy tale, has no equal. She was made for
Nigeria. She was placed in places and times in our history to lift up our
country and our spirits. Like a star in the dark firmament, she was the shining
star never to be shut out.
Her
stint at NAFDAC had no equal and with that singular act, she brought the world
to Nigeria. She chalked up points for Nigeria globally and redeemed our image.
She lifted up the spirits of millions, who realized that some good could come
out of Israel.
Dora
became a sensation. She provided a rare excitement about a Nigeria that is
possible. She gave true meaning to the fact that only through building
institutions can a nation progress and serve the people. Dora herself was an
institution.
Sadly,
when she positioned to build on a solid foundation of public service, the very
nation she served let her down. Her bold foray into politics by seeking
elective office came under uncommon challenge. Her friends in the
corridors of power deserted her.
But
she was one never to be put down. She once told me, "Chief, you must fight
and stand for what you believe in. People will not always be kind to you, but
you must be kind to yourself by staying true to yourself". Indeed,
that was the way she lived her last years even as she sought for a place to
best continue to serve Nigeria.
Dora,
we will never forget. She was the Amazon. She was the leader of our team. She
was an embodiment of grace, brilliance and devotion to humanity.
When
I first encountered her at an international conference in Dakar, Senegal,
sometime in 2007, little did I know that she would one day convince me to
resign my prestigious job with the Voice of America in Washington DC to come
work with her.
I
had no reason to leave my job. I was not in search of a job. But no one could
say no to Dora. She hardly took no for an answer. Her argument was
unassailable and her plea for me to join her to make Nigeria better was
unignorable. She was willing to seek out those that shared in her dream. And
even though I moved on, she left an impression never to be forgotten. She
worked hard. Committed with focus.
Though,
cut off so soon, she has left behind a legacy like no other. She would never be
forgotten. Adieu Dora Akunyili. You lived and worked like no mere mortal, but
mortals we all are. You have run the race faithfully and may the crown sit fittingly
on your head. No better words will do as an epitaph on her grave that these
words, "Here lies a soul that touched other souls and gave humanity her
best". Sun re o!
· * Sunday Dare, was former Senior Special
Assistant to Dora Akunyili at the Information Ministry.
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