The Media Adviser to the late former Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. Isaac Umunna, told our correspondent that Akunyili's husband, Chike; and her brother, Dr. Anayo Edemobi, confirmed to him on Monday that the remains of the ex-minister would be flown in before the end of the week.
Umunna quoted Dora's husband and her brother as saying that the body would have been flown in earlier "but because yesterday was Sunday, it wasn't a working day, the plans were delayed."
He said that no discussion had yet taken place about the programme for the burial because a lot of consultations would be held before a programme could be drawn up.
He said, "As you can see from the mood of the people, all Nigerians have come to claim her as their own and Nigerians will be consulted before the programme will be drafted.
"There will be meetings with Anambra State Government, the Federal Government and other significant bodies that Prof. had served.
"One man alone will not decide when she will be buried."
Meanwhile, no condolence register has been opened by the Anambra State Government for sympathisers to sign as of Monday, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
The late Akunyili was an indigene of the state.
The South-East Governors' Forum has, however, expressed shock and sorrow over the death of the former minister on Saturday at an Indian Specialist Cancer Hospital.
The governors, in a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting on Sunday in Enugu, expressed their condolences to the family of the deceased and the government of Anambra State.
The communiqué, presented by the Chairman of the forum, who is also the governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji, was signed by Governors Martin Elechi of Ebonyi; Sullivan Chime, Enugu; and the deputy governors of Anambra and Imo states, Mr. Nkem Okeke and Prince Eze Madumere, respectively.
The forum also commiserated with the Kano Emirate and the state government on the death of the former Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, as well as the family of the former Supreme Court Judge, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.
The governors promised to participate in the burial of the late jurist.
They also condemned Thursday's attempted invasion of the Enugu State Broadcasting Service by a group known as Biafran Zionist Federation and commended the police for arresting members of the group, led by one Benjamin Onwuka.
Before the attempt to seize the radio station, members of the group had earlier attempted to gain entry into the Government House, Enugu, for the purpose of hoisting the Biafran flag.
The governors promised not to relent in ensuring adequate security of lives and property in the zone.
They also expressed support for the delegates of the zone at the National Conference following the extension of the exercise.
Also, the Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, on Monday expressed grief and shock over the death of Akunyili.
Ekweremadu said that the death of the ex-Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control was a huge loss to the entire country.
The deputy senate president's message was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Uche Anichukwu.
Ekweremadu described the deceased, also a pharmacist, as a woman of substance, unequalled character and courage, who brought respect and glory to the nation.
He said, "Prof. Dora Akunyili was a woman of enormous integrity, a quintessential professional and public administrator per excellence.
"As a minister, she was outstanding and as the Director-General of NAFDAC, she made an indelible impact.''
He said her brilliant innovations and unparalleled spirited war within the health sector practically gave life back to millions of Nigerians.
Copyright PUNCH.
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