Dora Akinyuli lived a good life!
On April 21, 2013, she had this beautiful interview with PUNCH.
When asked how she 'takes' care of her family despite her busy schedules, she said
“I must give much of the credit to my husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili, for being very supportive and understanding,If all husbands could be like him, I am sure married women who wish to pursue careers or engage in politics would be able to soar to greater heights...I am spending more time with my family now. I’m trying to make up for all the years I’ve been largely kept away from them by one appointment or the other. I have also worked hard to maintain myhome, fully aware that being a successful wife and mother is the greatest appointment any married woman can get. Life goes on after public office; so if you destroy your home due to political or professional appointment, where do you return to at the end of the day? It’s surely not worth it for a woman not to pay attention to her home which is her primary constituency.
“It is all about getting your priorities right. I believe that a woman’s husband is her crowning glory, so whatever a woman achieves should never get into her head because her husband remains her husband and the head of the family. I always tell people that I wouldn’t have been serving my husband the way I do if I were to be less successful than I am by the grace of God. Just as women need constant reassurance of our husbands’ love, our husbands also need constant reassurance of our respect and submissiveness. A happy home makes a woman emotionally stable for greater achievements.”
On women who venture into politics
“One of the greatest problems facing female politicians is violence. Sadly, thuggery and election rigging have become part and parcel of politics in this country. We are unable to handle these twin evils because women by nature are mild, gentle, compassionate and humane. We have that motherly instinct that would not allow us to associate ourselves with violence. Another challenge we face are nocturnal meetings. Nigeria’s politicians prefer to hold important meetings at night. I believe nocturnal meetings are not the best and there is no meaningful discussion that cannot be concluded before midnight on any day. Women are not able to handle this aspect of politicking. How can a woman be outside her home at night in the name of meetings? I believe that this is a subtle way of excluding women.
“There is also the issue of high cost of contesting elections in this country. It is difficult for most women to handle, since women are generally not as rich as the men. In my case, I had to literarily beg for funds because the cost of campaigning for the senatorial elections was simply far beyond whatever money I had saved before entering the race.”
And then she says women should not be discouraged
“They should be focused and learn never to give up. Women have no reason to feel inferior to men because we are created equal. But in the family, it is important for any woman who wants to succeed to realise that the man is the head of the family and treat him as such. There can’t be two captains in one ship. Two competing captains have a tendency to sink the boat. Women should strive to complement their husbands,” she adds.
On why she is always dressed in Ankara fabrics “I am passionately Nigerian and passionately African, I do not believe that our culture is inferior to that of any other people anywhere in the world. Though I put on English wear occasionally, I am proud to be identified as a Nigerian. Our dressing is part of how we can showcase our rich cultural heritage. I like to appear neat, well-groomed and presentable but without unnecessarily drawing attention to myself. I don’t follow fashion trends but I believe in dressing in a respectable way.”
On her healthy and fit body “One secret is a deep trust in God. I always try to be positive and not to worry too much about things. I am also a very contented person. I eat balanced diet. I avoid too much starchy and oily food and take more of vegetables, fruits and fish. I eat light all the time. I don’t drink alcohol. My exercise involves brisk walking for 30 minutes every morning. Occasionally, if it is raining or if I am pressed for time, I use the tread mill for a shorter time. My skin? I don’t abuse it with harsh bleaching creams.”
Also, here are some of her best speeches courtesy of Doris Dosage blog.
~ On her posting to the Information Ministry.
“What I will tell them is that posting is approved by God. Nothing happens without God’s approval. God wants me to be where I am today at this time and He has His purpose for where I am today and I can feel it. Come to think of it, Nigeria ’s image needs, to some extent, to be revived."
"If anybody comes up tomorrow to explain to me why it is necessary for me to resign so as to help stabilise the polity, I will not waste one minute."
~ After a rather turbulent period as Information Minister.
"I am not saying that President Yar’Adua should resign or condemn him for being sick. He did not choose to be sick. We will continue to pray for him, but all I am saying is, let us encourage him do the right thing so that our hard earned democracy will not be truncated. Anybody who feels otherwise is unfair to our President (who has been preaching the rule of law), and utterly unfair to our country."
"The cabal wants to continue with their usual statement of 'the President said and you must comply'.They want to continue dishing out instructions even when the President did not say so , They sneaked him into this country in the night , I think it's something that is unnecessary and uncalled for."
"If we fail to act now, history will not forgive us. I rest my case.”
~ Leading the campaign for then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to be instituted as Acting Nigerian President, in the stead of ailing former President Umaru Musa Yar'adua.
"Goodbye, Professor Chinua Achebe, The Eagle on the Iroko. You'll always live in our hearts and in yourgreat works. We'll ever remain proud of you."
~ On Chinua Achebe's departure.
"God is great! He does His things at His own time. After over 7 years of trying to run away from justice, Marcel and Nnamdi Nnakwe lost the battle yesterday at the Supreme Court, as the Court ordered their trial in connection with the attempt on my life in December 2001 (during my days as Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC). My faith in God and in the Nigerian Judiciary has been further strengthened by this judgement. I have no doubt that Almighty God who made it possible for me to miraculously survive that assassination attempt engineered by drug barons will also ensure that I get justice in the end. To God be the glory."
~ On surviving an assassination attempt and justice finally being served.
"When the Super Eagles were about to play their first match on January 21 in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, I posted the following comment: "On this lovely Monday evening, I join millions of Nigerians in wishing our darling Super Eagles victory as they begin their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in South Africa against Burkina Faso. Football is one of the few things that bring Nigerians joy and I believe that the Super Eagles will do their best to put smiles on our faces tonight and throughout the championship. Super Eagles, go out there and conquer! You're in our prayers. Best wishes!" However, several of my friends who seem to have lost faith in the team and in Nigeria took me to task, wondering why I should reposed confidence in the team. With our qualification, against all odds, for the semi-finals, I hope that all those who disagreed with me have come to see reason why they should change their mind. We should learn to believe in Nigeria no matter the situation of things. As our Lord Jesus Christ was did teach, faith can move mountains."
~ Supporting the Super Eagles through their Nations Cup win.
"I have been outside Nigeria since October 1. But rather than enjoy my trip, it has been a season of mental and emotional torture for me because of the kind of news coming from home: If it is not devastating flooding in my home state, Anambra, and several other states, it would be about the mindless slaughter of school students over issues that shouldn’t even ordinarily cause a quarrel. My heart bleeds. Nigerians, where is our sense of humanity? Where is our sense of brotherhood? And where is our sense of neighbourliness? This is the time for us to come together, stick together and help each other to cope with the challenges of the times – it is not the time for us to kill each other and waste the leaders of tomorrow. This mindless violence must stop because it brings no benefits but only losses, tears and pain. Only a foolish person continues to engage in what does not bring any gains and I am confident that we Nigerians are not fools. I am also confident that most of us are not wicked by nature but are Good People of a Great Nation. The time has come for us to demonstrate our goodness and to resist the temptation to be used for evil. I weep with the families, friends and relatives of the murdered Federal Poly Mubi students. I weep with the families, friends and relatives of the UNIPORT 4 extra-judicially killed in a most horrendous manner in Aluu Community. I weep with all victims of the flood disasters and I weep with Nigeria, my beloved country. However, as we weep and seek for a way out, we must never lose hope for Almighty God is still on the throne and will not give up on us. There is still hope as long as God is alive. After the rain comes sunshine. After mourning comes laughter. The sun shall shine on Nigeria again. Laughter shall once more be our portion. Our sorrows shall give way to joy. Let’s all keep hope alive!"
~ October 10, 2012 letter, written after some tragic national disasters.
"It feels good to be 58. I thank Almighty God for His mercies. I also thank all those who have, both publicly and privately, wished me a happy birthday. God bless you all!"
~ On her 58th birthday. (She would've been sixty on July 14th!)
“I am comforted by the fact that prayers are going on for me in churches and mosques as well as in private homes. God is answering the prayers. He has already healed me. I am only waiting for the physical manifestation of the healing. I am grateful to all Nigerians. I look forward to recovering and coming back home to rejoice with you all.”
~ Perhaps her last public communication (via Facebook)
And finally...
DR. DORA AKUNYILI's FIRST SPEECH AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE
My Dear Friends,
I hope your day is going well.
Thanks immensely for your love and prayers, which Almighty God is surely answering.
I am pleased to inform you that I finally got an opportunity this morning to speak at the on-going National Conference. I used my contribution during the debating of the President's speech inaugurating the Conference to call for a united and more progressive Nigeria. I also gave an idea of how to achieve that Nigeria of our dreams.
Kindly accept my best wishes as I leave you with the text of my speech:
“I warmly congratulate His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, for having the courage to convene this National Conference. Nigerians have for long clamored for an opportunity such as this to discuss our problems and come up with solutions that will strengthen the bonds of our nationhood. I regard this National Conference as President Jonathan’s best Centenary gift to Nigerians and a proof that he is a listening president.
“Mr. President’s speech, oozes humility, modesty, patriotism and a deep concern for the present and future of our dear country, Nigeria. Mr. President in that speech admitted that sovereignty belongs to the people, that those in positions of authority are only holding power in trust for the people, and of course do not have a monopoly of wisdom, hence the decision to convene this Conference.
“One thing that stands out from Mr. President’s speech is that there is no trace of negativism. For instance, Mr. President made it clear that Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable and that our duty at this Conference is to discuss ways to build a stronger and better Nigeria. I wholeheartedly agree with him.
“I am convinced that Nigeria should remain as one nation after 100 years despite our challenges, because our common values overwhelm our differences. Apart from our long history of togetherness, we have enjoyed many decades of intermarriages and mutual co-existence.
“We have to make sure that this conference delivers on the true spirit of Mr. President’s speech. While we discuss the value of unity, as written in his speech, we must realise that millions of Nigerians are being discriminated against in various parts of our dear country Nigeria – where they are born, where their forefathers lived, based on their so called state of origin.
“The founding fathers of Nigeria had a dream of building a united, prosperous and developed nation state, where social justice reigns supreme. Even though that dream is yet to be realised, we must not despair but must continue to dream.
“In conclusion, I am convinced that Nigeria will work and fulfill its destiny. I look forward to collaborating with other delegates to chart the way for a better Nigeria. We all want to see a positively transformed Nigeria. I therefore urge all of us to work individually and collectively, so as to set the right agenda for the Nigeria of our dreams.
"I leave you with the words of this Greek proverb: ‘A society grows great, when old men plant trees, whose shade they know they shall never sit in.’ "
Dr. Dora Akunyi
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