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The minister of state for information Labaran Maku is now the
minister of information and communication following the resignation of former minister,
Dora Akunyili. Mrs. Akunyili had, on Monday, submitted her resignation letter
to President Goodluck Jonathan. An emotional Mrs. Akunyili walked into the
press briefing hall yesterday after the Federal Executive Council meeting to
confirm speculations that she may be resigning.

“Having reflected over the years about events in Nigeria and in
particular in my state, Anambra State, I have come to the conclusion that it is
a defining moment in my life when I should make the sacrifice of leaving a
comfortable place to go to a more difficult terrain in other to build a better
place for Nigeria,” she said.

“I have therefore decided to join my governor, Peter Obi, who is
doing a great job in Anambra State, in continuing to build that state as an
APGA by the grace of God. In this regard, I intend to pick the nomination form
today to run for the office of senator representing Anambra central senatorial
district.”

She then asked for the continued support and prayers of members
of the press and the public.

“As I take this step, I ask for your prayers and unflinching
support,” she said. “I am deeply grateful for your cooperation and partnership
without which I wouldn’t have succeeded as minister of information and
communications.”

Missing Akunyili

Mrs. Akunyili then made way for Mr. Maku to take the microphone.
In his speech, Mr. Maku wished his predecessor well in her new path of
politics, adding that the president had reluctantly accepted the request from
her.

“Council today was an emotional one,” he said. “As you do know,
Akunyili has made her mark in the country since her days as the
director-general of NAFDAC, later DG of Yar’Adua/Jonathan campaign organisation
and subsequently, minister of information and communication in the federal
republic. Our sister is well known to Nigerians for her doggedness, commitment
and indeed her service to our nation. Our prayers are with her in her new
service. She is a woman in search of making a mark in her country.”

Mrs. Akunyili was one of the few ministers who returned to the same
ministerial post after the dissolution of former president Umaru Yar’Adua’s
cabinet by Mr. Jonathan on resumption as acting president. She famously read a
memo demanding the ministers’ support of the transfer of power to Mr. Jonathan
when the late Mr. Yar’Adua became incapacitated earlier in the year while the
other ministers were still unwilling to publicly take a stand.