SENATE OBSERVES ONE-MINUTE SILENCE IN HONOUR OF LATE DORA AKUNYILI’S HUSBAND, CHIKE

Prior to the murder of late Dr Chike Akunyili, the husband to Prof. Dora Akunyeli, former Director-General of NAFDAC on Tuesday, The Senate at plenary observed a minute of silence in honour of him on Wednesday.

The minute silence was as a result to a matter of urgent public importance moved by Senator Uche Ekwunife (PDP-Anambra).

Ekwunife, in her personal explanation, having cited Order 43 of Senate Rule, said the deceased was murdered in Anambra.

According to her, the late Chike, the Medical Director of St Luke Hospital, Enugu State, contributed immensely to health care in Nigeria.

She explained that the deceased was gruesomely murdered by gunmen.

The senator said that the deceased was in Onitsha to present a paper and receive an award in honour of his late wife, Prof. Akunyili, who was also Nigeria’s information minister.

Ekwunife urged the government to take action to stem the series of attacks and killings in the South-East region part of the country, especially in Anambra, Imo and Enugu States.

Ekwunife urged the Senate to observe a minute silence for the deceased and other innocent citizens that have lost their lives to gunmen.

She called on the Inspector-General of Police and other security heads to investigate the killings in the South-East.

On his part, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, in his comment, said there was no debate on the motion as it was brought under Order 43 of the Senate rule.

The Senate, thereafter, observed a minute silence in honour of the deceased.