Dora Akunyili ‘getting better,’ husband says

Former Minister of Information, Dora Akunyili

“I am comforted by the fact that prayers are going on for me in churches and mosques as well as in private homes. God is answering the prayers.”

The health condition of Dora Akunyili, a former Minister of Information, is improving, a statement released by her media aide has said.

Mrs. Akunyili, a delegate at the ongoing National Conference, had taken ill last week and was flown to India over the weekend.

However, hours later, rumours of her death began to circulate on social media, forcing Isaac Umunna, her media aide, to issue a statement describing the claims as “the height of wickedness.”

In his latest statement, Tuesday, Mr. Umunna said that the former Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, is responding to treatment.

The statement also quoted Chike Akunyili, her husband, as saying that Mrs. Akunyili “is better today than she was yesterday.”

“Her condition continues to get better everyday,” he added.

According to the statement, Mr. Akunyili, who spoke on phone from India on Tuesday night (exactly at 8:45 p.m. Nigerian time) thanked Nigerians for their prayers for his wife, urging them to continue praying for her full recovery.

Mrs. Akunyili had, on Sunday afternoon, expressed her appreciation to Nigerians, saying that their prayers on her behalf are working.

“I am comforted by the fact that prayers are going on for me in churches and mosques as well as in private homes. God is answering the prayers. He has already healed me

“I am only waiting for the physical manifestation of the healing. I am grateful to all Nigerians. I look forward to recovering and coming back home to rejoice with you all,” she was quoted as saying.