Obi, Umeh, Others Pay Tribute as Akunyili is Laid to Rest

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The husband of late Prof. Dora Akunyili, a former Minister of Information and Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr Chike Akunyili has been laid to rest at his home town, Agulu, Anaocha LGA of Anambra State.

There was weeping and wailing as his body was moved from St Charles Boromeo Hospital morgue in Onitsha to his community yesterday for the final rites before he was finally committed to mother earth.

Several dignitaries attended the funeral mass held in his honour at Madonna Catholic Church, Agulu to pay tribute to the medical practitioner.

Akunyili was killed on September 28, at Nkpor, near Onitsha by unknown gunmen, while being chauffeur-driven from Onitsha, on his way to his base in Enugu. On the day he was murdered, he had received a posthumous award bestowed on his late wife by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Alumni Association.

He was killed alongside his driver and security aide, just as several other persons were said to have been killed on the same day.

Dignitaries were at Madonna Catholic Church, Agulu to witness the burial of the late Chike praised his humility and exemplary life, while urging all to emulate his simplicity.

The dignitaries included: former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi and his wife; Margaret, former national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Senator Victor Umeh and his wife; Prisca, Anambra deputy governor-elect, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim and others.

Children of the late Akunyili, most of whom are based overseas were also on ground to bury their dad, and also showered him with encomiums for being an exemplary father.