Dora Akunyili bags health award in US

By Emmanuel Uzodinma on April 22, 2013

Nigeria’s former Minister of Information, Prof. Dora Akunyili, has been honoured with the ’2013 Healthcare Foundation Leadership Award’ in the United States.
The award, which took place at the 8th Annual Faces of Hope Banquet on Saturday, was organised by the Hackensack University Health Network in New Jersey, in collaboration with a US-based firm and the Nigerian Healthcare Foundation.
The Chairman of Hackensack University Medical Centre, Dr. Jeffrey Boscamp, who presented the award commended the former Director-General of the Nigerian National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Dora Akunyili for her industry and commitment to honesty, transparency and selfless service.
Boscamp observed that Akunyili’s immense contribution to the fight against fake medicine in Nigeria and West African sub-region would always be remembered, particularly her visionary leadership in health care.
He said: “Akunyili has received more than 600 awards and recognition locally and internationally”.

Responding, Akunyili described the award as special because it came more than four years after she had left office as the DG.
“With this award, I am encouraged and motivated to work even harder, not only in contributing to the fight against counterfeit medicine but also in the development of our dear country, Nigeria.
“For me to be honoured here today proves that Nigerians, not only at home, but also in the Diaspora, have continued to appreciate my contribution in the fight against counterfeit medicine”, she said.
Similarly, another Nigerian, based in the US, Dr. Ambrose Mgbako, a Psychiatrist, was honoured with the 2013 ‘Legacy Humanitarian Award’.