Dora Akunyili reincarnates in daughter’s new book
Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr has penned down an intimate memoir to honour the memory and inspirational life of her mother, Dora Akunyili whose life and legacy inspired millions for battling corruption to a halt.
The book, ‘I Am Because We Are: The Story of Dora Akunyili which hit book stores across Nigeria last Friday, chronicles the events that shaped the late NAFDAC DG to the woman she was.
Inspired by the African value of community over the individual, the book gives an in-depth view of how Dora Akunyili confronted fraudulent drug manufacturers whose products killed millions, including her sister.
It explores Dora’s foray in the murky waters of politics as a minister,
the political manoeuvrings, death threats, and an assassination attempt for defending the voiceless.
Describing the book, Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr says, “while the world saw Dora Akunyili at the peak of her strength — a warrior with a gap-toothed smile whose light-skinned oval face was crowned with a colourful head-tie that doubled as armour against incessant attacks against her values and also her life — I saw the complexity that was hidden from sight. This is the story of her multiplicity: the story of my mother.”
