Prof. (Mrs.) Dora Nkem Akunyili, former Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and former minister of Information has died.

According to a family source (and published by Daily Independent)  Akunyili died in an India Hospital where she has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment.

She was aged 59.

Former governor of Anambra, Mr Peter Obi has confirmed the death of the former Minister of Information, in an Indian hospital, on behalf of the Akunyili family.

Akunyili, a former Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, died after two years battle with cancer.

She was born in Makurdi, Benue State on July 14, 1954 to Chief and Mrs Paul Young Edemobi.

Akunyili attended the University of Nigeria, Nsuka, where she made first class in pharmacy in 1978 and PhD in 1985.

The deceased was elevated to the rank of professor of Pharmacology in October 2000 by UNN, where she taught for many years.

She was director-general of NAFDAC between April 2001 and 2008 and Minister of Information and Communication between December 2008 and December 2010.

She anchored the Re-branding Nigeria Project driven by the slogan, Nigeria, Good People, Great Nation.

She served the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (P.S.N.) in various capacities, notably as the National Vice-President of Association of Lady Pharmacists from 1992 to 1995.

She was also President of the Enugu State Branch from 1992 to 1998 and was appointed Chairman of West African Drug Regulatory Agencies Network in March 2006.

Akunyili was also the Vice Chairman of the International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force in November 2006.

She left government in 2010 to contest election for Anambra Central Senatorial seat on the ticket of All Progressives Grand Alliance.

Additional reports courtesy of Punch.