BY ABUCHI ONWUMELU, AWKA
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor on Saturday 5 September, 2015, called on Christians to be prepared to die for others in order to have access to deeper and fuller life
Bishop Ezeokafor who made the call while delivering a homily at pontifical High Mass to commemorate the one year in mind of late Prof. Dora Akunyili,
held at Women's Development Centre, Awka.
held at Women's Development Centre, Awka.
The Catholic prelate, who spoke on the theme "Death is the road to life", said the late Akunyili's life speaks loud about her even after her death.
Bishop Ezeokafor said the late Professor Dora had an unquenchable quest for excellent and passion for integral human development with a special reference to her sterling performance as the Director General of NAFDAC.
The event witnessed the renaming of Women Development Centre after the late Prof. Dora Akunyili by Anambra State government.
Making the declaration during thanksgiving ceremony in honour of the late Akunyili, Governor Willie Obiano said the Centre would henceforth be called, Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre Awka.
He said the Life of the late Dora should remind the people that a life of service to the community was a true life of meaning, noting that the Late Dora's indomitable spirit and unwavering belief in the course she believed in, should be emulated.
Governor Obiano recalled that the late Dora was the only one who had courage enough to wake the nation from slumber during the time of Late President Yaradua's death when people were afraid to make a statement as regards the situation of the Late President, describing the move as historic.
The governor further said she always justified her patriotism by standing up for what is right at the expense of her life, adding that she also fought and brought liberation for women.
Presenting a tribute on behalf of the state exco, the commissioner for Education, Professor Kate Omenugha, went down memory lane on motivation she always derived from the life of the late Dora, emphasizing that the present tempo of development instituted by Governor Obiano was in line with what Dora stood for.
In an interview, the Provost, Federal government College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Prof. Josephat Okechukwu Ogbuagu, mni, described the action of the state government as a move in the right direction noting that Late Dora's contribution in all sphere of human endeavours was an act, one could be proud of at all times.
Other stakeholders from various fields of life who spoke at the event among whom were, the Catholic bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Rev. Hilary Okeke who officiated the Holy Mass and Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK, Prof. Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku, equally eulogised, the legacies of the Late Dora Akunyili.
Speaking at the Mass, the husband of the Late Akunyili , Dr. Chike Akunyili, said he was overwhelmed with joy for the love the entire state had shown to his family, especially the Governor, the Catholic bishops of Awka and Nnewi Dioceses, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor and Hilary Okeke , and other Nigerians and groups who have immortalised her.
Contributing, a daughter of the deceased, Miss Chidiogo Akunyili , expressed profound gratitude to everyone , thanking them for rallying round their family now and always.
The event was attended by various groups including Umuada Igbo, Traditional rulers , the Academia, industrialists, among others.