X users reflect on the impact of late Professor Dora Akunyili as National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) successfully dismantles fake wine factories in Eziukwu Market (Cemetery Market) Aba.
Remembering the former NAFDAC boss, who passed away in 2014, the users applauded Dora Akunyili for her relentless efforts to combat counterfeit products. Notably, she assumed the role in 2001, swiftly reducing the circulation of fake drugs in Nigeria from 80% to 17% by 2006.
Akunyili’s legacy remains a beacon amid concerns about the recovery of counterfeit goods since her passing, with many hailing her as one of the top 5 Nigerians to ever exist.
The Herald reports that NAFDAC on Monday, December 18, disclosed that it has intercepted counterfeiters involved in the production of a variety of beverages including wines, soft drinks and consumables in Eziukwu Market (Cemetery Market) Aba, Abia State, following an intelligent tip-off and several weeks of intelligence gathering.
NAFDAC however, shut down the market and arrested ten people upon arrival to the scene. The arrested persons would be charged in court after a thorough investigation.
Following this announcement, some X users remembered the former Director-General of NAFDAC, Dora Akunyili with most saying if she were still alive all of “these wouldn’t have been possible.”
The Herald captured some tweets, see below;
Since Dora Akunyili of decades ago, no other NAFDAC DG has actually come even close to addressing the fake drug and consumables menace in Nigeria. It's tragic how difficult it is to find good leadership in this country
— Bane (@jodambusta) December 18, 2023
When we sing "the labour of our heroes past," we usually think of those faces on our Naira notes as heroes past. In reality, people like Stella Adadevoh and Dora Akunyili are the real heroes past.
All these fakes didn't thrive with Dora Akunyili in charge. *sigh* https://t.co/ry5Ef0ACXq
— ηαтε (@Nattie_Best) December 18, 2023
If she was alive maybe the number of patients that come down with kidney disease per year would have 90% lesser.
Keep Resting Queen Dora Akunyili pic.twitter.com/NJKoR0Krto
— Dr.viva (@vivadaraa) December 18, 2023
Either many were too young or didn't know how much work Late Dora Akunyili did.
NTA news at night showed the rot then. Nothing wasn't packaged.
I know someone, a former Ogun State Deputy Governor, who died from fake drugs years before Dora's time.
Now that we have serious…
— Alhaji Ògògó 🖤 (@akintonmide) December 18, 2023
Today we remember Dora Akunyili, who died in 2014. She lost her sister to fake insulin for diabetes in 1988.
In 2001,she became the head of NAFDAC.
By 2006, she had reduced the circulation of fake drugs in Nigeria from 80% to 17% & other fake drink/products
RIP 🪦 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/yoEMXOYy1e
— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) December 18, 2023
Since Dora Akunyili left us alone in this evil world, we’ve been eating and drinking fake products Cuz. That woman looked out for us for real. Top 5 Nigerian to ever exist
— Imoh (@imohumoren) December 18, 2023
You guys see the alarming rate of fake consumables in Nigeria & then you'll understand why Dora Akunyili had a bullet pierce through her headscarf.
That woman was fighting principalities, disguised as Nigerians.
— I am (@RitaOnwurah) December 18, 2023