Fresh
facts have emerged in Agulu, the Anambra State hometown of the ailing ex-minister
of information, Prof. Dora Akunyili on the actual cause of her mysterious
ailment that has reportedly defied all medications.
Those
in the know told First Weekly Magazine that Dora’s serious ailment is a
consequence of the crisis that trailed the burial of her late sister, Mrs Gloria
Ezewanne in Agulu, when she died few years back.
It
was gathered that Dora took the decision to bury her sister in Agulu against
the wish of the husband of the woman, who insisted on burying his late wife in
his own house.
We
were informed that Dora turned down the decision of Mr. Ezewanne and that of the
children of the deceased, who had insisted on burying the woman outside Agulu.
A
source told our correspondent that the spirit of her late sister is hunting her
and that this was the cause of her mysterious ailment, while another source
said that she might be suffering from Prostate Cancer as revealed to her during
her visits to hospitals in the United States of America.
Those,
who have come across her recently or seen her pictures, have not stopped wondering
why such a beautiful and boisterous woman could emaciate so badly that she now
looks like an octogenarian after losing much weight.
The
former Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration
and Control (NAFDAC), who is a delegate to the on-going National Cnference in
Abuja, is the wife of the proprietor of St. Leo's Hospital, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu and
she is the brain behind Fedelma Hotels located on Ezillo Avenue, Independence Layout,
Enugu.
The
once charming woman, whose tenure in NAFDAC can never be forgotten in a hurry,
is also the owner of Solid FM radio Station situated on Savage Crescent in GRA
Enugu.
She
admitted in a press interview that she is well now and ready for the CONFAB but
admitted that she has lost so much weight as a result of the ailment she
suffered, noting that she was previously sick, but that she is now fit and well
again.
According to her: “I just need to
put on some weight, there is a saying in Igboland that goes this way: “Let the
sickness take the flesh, but leave the bones because with time the bones would
grow new flesh. I just came out of a major sickness, for which I thank Almighty
God for delivering me. I know that God did that for a purpose, this National
Conference being part of that purpose. I am well now but only need time to put
on more weight.”
Early in the year, it was reported
that Madam Akunyili was suffering from severe health challenges and was flown
abroad for treatment. There were also reports that her husband, Chike Akunyili,
had confirmed she was ill.
Her husband, Mr Akunyili, tried to
downplay the issue. He had said:
“Yes, she suffered some minor health
challenges, but she is now okay. She is in the United States. I spoke with her
today. What happened was that our son said she should come over and rest. You
know all our children are abroad. She will soon return to the country and we
will show up in a public gathering. There is a couple that wants us to sponsor
their wedding. Both of us will appear in public. She is now okay.”
But members of their family are
saying her situation is now getting critical. Madam Akunyili, who did a good
job in NAFDAC, fighting prominent Nigerians, who are even of the same stock
with her, and who are into fake drugs business, had not been seen in any public
event since November 16, 2013.