''If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motive.
Do good anyway.
''Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
This quote threw me into thoughtfulness, and I remembered Prof. Dora Akunyili, whose photograph appear above.
I have carefully followed the crippling tides of criticism trailing her Rebrand Nigeria Project, as well as the backlash she has received from the media, the civil rights community and the opposition parties in Nigeria, over her role played as government mouth-piece in the Ekiti re-run election saga in late April 2009.
I personally adore Prof. Akunyili. And what makes her stand out?
First, she knows how to handle criticism; Second, she knows how to make impossible task look possible afterall; Third, she knows how to surpass the expectation of her employers; Fourth, she knows how to follow her dream to wherever it leads; Fifth, she knows how to surprise everyone; Sixth, she knows how to be controversial; Seventh, she knows how to get results; And finally, she knows how to love Nigeria and Nigerians. She is one of a kind. Her 'tribe' is rare to come by.
Prior to her appointment as Minister for Information and Communication [ arguably the most difficult job in today's Nigeria ] by the Yar'Adua administration in late 2008, Prof. Akunyili was at the helm of affairs at the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration & Control [ NAFDAC ], a position she occupied diligently. Some public analysts have argued that if there is anything that the Obasanjo administration did well, it is the appointment of certain Nigerian professionals into public office. And Prof. Dora Akunyili is one of such.
While at NAFDAC, she proved a point. She proved that Nigeria has enough leadership materials, and all we need do as a Nation is discover them, give them tools and enabling framework to work with and demand result from them. Driven by her passion to rid the nation of the fake drug syndrome, she fought tirelessly the mafia that controlled the fake drug industry in the country. She fought the battle on all fronts, criss-crossing the entire nation, sealing up markets notorious for fake drug peddling, closing factories noted for manufacturing sub-standard drugs, and engaging in mass sensitization of the public on the war against fake drugs. She became the nightmare of the fake drug community. At the risk of her own life, she carried on her job with diligence, purpose and character.
Because she had the courage of her convictions, Prof. Akunyili was honoured with many awards both at home and abroad.
However, recent development in the polity has plunged this professor of pharmacy into a pool of controversy. On assuming office as the Federal Minister for Information & Communication, she launched her Rebrand Nigeria Project. But the project has elicited serious debate and criticism in the media, among politicians, in the ivory tower community and on the streets, with tempers flaring up and arguments raging. The debate has been interesting, going back and forth on issues of what a brand is, what a brand isn't, why Nigeria is a brand, why Nigeria isn't a brand, why Nigeria should be rebranded, why Nigeria doesn't need a rebranding project, and all that kind of academic imbroglio.
Some have argued that the Rebrand Nigeria slogan 'GOOD PEOPLE, GREAT NATION' is not complete. That it ought to be, 'GOOD PEOPLE, GREAT NATION, BAD LEADERS'. Well, I can see their point.
But I'm not about to join issues with the protagonists or antagonists of the Rebrand Nigeria Project. Afterall, the initiator and executor of the project, Prof. Akunyili is unperturbed by whatever noise that is made for or against her latest passion. She has commenced a fresh tour of the country, this time not to fight fake drug barons, but to tell everyone who cares to listen that we are 'GOOD PEOPLE, GREAT NATION'.
Whether the project will succeed or not is not the issue for me. The issue is that, here is a Nigerian woman who believe in her country and would do anything to defend her people. She is swimming in waters many would not dare to get closer to.
I believe that Prof. Akunyili mean well for Nigeria. And if she says 'GOOD PEOPLE, GREAT NATION', it goes beyond mere rhetorics or PR for the Yar'Adua administration. I believe it touches deep in her soul that Nigerians can indeed be GOOD PEOPLE, and Nigeria, GREAT NATION.
And the choice is ours [ leaders and the led ] whether we want to be Good People and a Great Nation, or not. I believe that Prof. Dora Akunyili cherishes her hard-earned reputation, and she would not sacrifice it on the alter of infamy and political mediocrity. I know minds like her knows when to exit the circle of whatever cabal that is ruling the Nation with notoriety.
Agree? Disagree? Well, Prof. Dora Akunyili remains who she is-----A Patriot.
Adedayo Adetoye
Tel: +234 805 191 2385
e-MAIL: dayoadetoye@gmail.com
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