Authorities of Awka South Local Council Area of Anambra State say they have concluded arrangements to name a major street in the Awka capital city after the late former Director General of National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC), Prof Dora Nkem Akunyili.
With this development, Awka South Council Authority will be the first to immortalize the Akunyili, who died of cancer related disease last month in an Indian Hospital.
Following her death, there have been calls from several quarters on the federal and state governments to immortalize the icon for her efforts in riding the country of fake and substandard drugs during her days in NAFDAC.
The chairman of Awka South Local Government Area, Hon Azubuike Iloh, who disclosed this to our correspondent Wednesday at the Awka South Council Headquarters after signing a condolence register in honour of Akunyili said her death was a thing of sadness.
“People like Akunyili should not die, we feel sad because a woman like Dora should be here with us. She is an iconic figure, and here in our own little way we have decided that we will deify her. I have sent a bill to the legislature of this council for a major street in Awka to be named after her.
“We have pin-pointed Abakiliki Street to be named after her, and when they sit, I am sure they will pass it and we will implement it immediately.
“She is a dogged fighter and yet a mother, and can be described differently by different people, so we want her to live in our minds”, Iloh said.
The council Wednesday opened a condolence register for the former Information Minister, with scores of people falling over themselves to sign it.
One hour after the register was opened, over 50 staff of the council signed the register.
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