The attention of immediate past Minister of
Information and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili, has been drawn to a
report in today’s edition of Saturday Independent newspaper claiming
that she is hospitalised in the U.S. and that there is anxiety over the state
of her health.
This story is false, misleading and raises
unnecessary anxiety about Prof. Akunyili’s sate of health. The reporter claims
that Prof. Akunyili is hospitalised in the U.S. without providing any proof. He
went ahead to publish that the celebrated former Director General of the
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is
hospitalised despite information to the contrary given to him by Prof.
Akunyili’s husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili.
For the record, Prof. Akunyili is not hospitalised
and there is no anxiety whatsoever over her state of health. It is true that
she was sick LAST YEAR but she is well now. She is currently visiting her
children in the U.S. and is living an active life.
Contrary to the claim by the reporter that she has
not appeared in public for long, Prof. Akunyili attended last Saturday’s
Reception for Anambra Governor-elect, Chief Willie Obiano, organised by
USAfrica in collaboration with Anambra Communities in the Diaspora at Hilton
Westchase Towers, Hilton, Texas, USA. Prof. Akunyili’s presence at the
Reception was well reported, especially online.
The story on Prof. Akunyili’s alleged sickness,
therefore, lacks substance. It should be disregarded by the public.
Isaac Umunna
SA Media to Prof. Dora Akunyili
If the woman is actually not sick, this is a warning for journalists to verify their info before going to press.
ReplyDeleteThe write up says it is true that she was sick but she is well now.it is not a crime to be sick . The way such reports about nigerians in high positions makes it look like being sick is a crime .the headline should have read dora akinyuli has recovered.for goodness sake she was sick last year.
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