Dora Akunyili: Sacrifice for Love of Nation

When pictures of gaunt-looking Nigeria’s former Minister of Communication and Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Dora Akunyili surfaced on the web months ago while she was attending the ongoing National Conference in Abuja, I was concerned that she needed to have taken enough timeout from the public glare to fully recover from whatever ailment it was that had so visibly ravished her frame.

A recently published Yes International interview (excerpts follow below), has, however, helped me understand why the dogged professor might not have contemplated such an option: her unflinching love for Nigeria and a willingness to lay down her life in the service of her beloved country. In a tribute informed by a personal encounter of the Amazon, former Presidential Liaison Officer to the Senate, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, alludes to this love when he writes that Akunyili “defiantly, patriotically [took] up a national assignment, disregarding the odds, the hazards and even the encumbrance of a debilitating ailment.” Her body might have been ravaged by cancer, but not her spirit. And so, like the great lioness (alumna of the University of Nigeria Nsukka) that she was, she resolutely determined to fight on. Till the end.

We will remember and celebrate her for her positive impacts in our lives, fighting to rid Nigeria and, to some extent, the world of fake drugs (when one takes into consideration the awareness campaign she waged on the export countries of such counterfeited drugs, getting the authorities concerned from such countries to realize the horrendous effects on human life the unconscionable businesses originating from their countries wreck on Nigeria). This is hoping that her labors (labors of our heroes past) would not have been in vain. Rest in eternal peace, worthy lioness. Africa mourns you.

What’s the greatest sacrifice you’ve made as the boss of NAFDAC?

I think I sacrificed everything. When you ask me of sacrifice, it is difficult for me to give you a straight answer. From the first day, I knew that this is a job that can take my life – but that is if God allows. So, I can now call it the sacrifice of my life. 

Yes! Magazine Celebrates 3rd Anniversary

Azuh Arinze

Mr. Azuh Arinze is the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of YES INTERNATIONAL!, one of the leading and most respected soft sell journals in the country. In this interview with some members of the press, the affable gentleman shed some light on the 3rd anniversary of the magazine, which comes up on Thursday, June 19, 2014, his career as a journalist and more. Excerpts…

First, why did you resign as the Editor of Encomium Weekly?

I will go straight to the point – because it was about time. I edited Encomium Weekly for almost 10 years and after that I felt I needed a new challenge. It may also interest you to know that I remain the longest serving Editor of the paper – and the legacies I left there are still very, very visible. My two predecessors, their tenure combined, is not up to 10 years. I worked for Mr. Kunle Bakare for 17 years; 10, out of which I was his Editor. Again, I didn’t want to become a sit-tight Editor. I felt that having done about two terms, I should give way to others to also show what they can do.

Currently, what is your relationship with your former boss and mentor, Mr. Kunle Bakare like?

Point of correction – Mr. Kunle Bakare is still my boss and my oga at the top. My relationship with him is fantastic and will continue to remain so. As a matter of fact, I never get tired of saying this – all I have for Mr. Bakare is appreciation. Do you know what it means to entrust a young man of 26 with the editorship of your paper? Like I always say, I will be eternally grateful to him. I also thank God that when I clocked 40, he attended the surprise birthday party my wife organized for me, with this sweet wife, Madam Desola, where he said I didn’t do anything wrong and that he was only emotional about my exit because of his likeness for me. I truly thank and appreciate him.

Whither African Education?

“African educational systems have surprising outcomes. The smartest students pass with first class and get admissions to medical and engineering schools. The 2nd class students get MBAs and LLBs to manage the first class students. The 3rd class students enter politics and rule both the 1st and 2nd class students. The failures enter the underworld of crime and control the politicians and the businesses. And, best of all, those who did not attend school become prophets and everyone follows them…” — Anon.

What do you say?

On Father's Day: Tribute to my Dad

Onowu Ezeoma: Dear Father, Friend, and Mentor

Born: 12.12.45. Buried 12.12.12

Chief Azuh Chimezie

Onowu Ezeoma (Chief Azuh Chimezie, Ichie Onyeokwereomume). I still recall it all. The hour. The day. Saturday, November 3, 2012. The call.  The news. The shock. The tears. The disbelief. And then. The reality check. The thanksgiving, for your life.  The prayer, for your eternal rest. It all happened in one quick succession.  So quick, it sometimes still feels dreamed-up.  But shortly before that telephone call informing me of your transition, you had communicated your departure.  I had experienced this sudden and unexplainable restlessness that jolted me from my reading desk, where I had been at work all day.  Standing up from that call, I went straight to the chapel.  There, before the Blessed Sacrament and strengthened by the hope of the Resurrection, I thanked God for your life, and prayed for the forgiveness of your sins and repose of your soul.

When later that night my superior invited my Jesuit brothers in the community to the chapel to pray the Psalms for you, I was consoled as I imagined the choirs of angels already welcoming you to their sweet and melodious heavenly alleluia.  My consolation grew in the following days as phone calls, emails, text and other messages poured in from Jesuit companions, friends, and acquaintances from across the world with assurances of Masses and prayers for you.  And when I informed my school, the London School of Economics, Global Media and Communications Program Director Professor Terhi Rantanem led a lecture hall filled with international students and professors to observe a moment of silence in your honor.  With all of this, I could only ask God to look kindly on our prayers for you and grant you eternal rest in his presence. 

Jeta Amata Reveals Nollywood's Success Secret

In a recent interview with Azuh Arinze, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Yes International magazine, prolific film director, Jeta Amata (Inale, Black Gold, Amazing Grace, Alexa Affair, Mary Slessor) reveals the secret behind Nollywood’s amazing success.

What makes a good story? A good story is a good story. Every other thing can come later. The technicalities don’t matter. That’s why Nollywood is amazing. They say we have bad quality, but we have good stories.


How do you tell a good story? One – it has to be real and it has to be relatable. People have to identify with it. Even if it’s an alien story, there has to be some human part of it that people can identify with. With Nollywood, when you watch a film, you will see and say oh, that person is like my brother, that person is like my sister, that person is like my cousin. Ah, na so my mama dey behave. That is what makes it good.