Akunyili Named One Of 50 Most Powerful Minority Women

PHOTO: NIGERIA'S INFORMATION MINISTER, PROFESSOR DORA AKUNYILI.

San Francisco March 12, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s Information and Communications Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili on Thursday in the United State of America received an award as one of '50 Most Powerful Minority Women in Business', at an event organized by MEA Magazine at the Ritz Carlton Hotel Washington, D.C.

The Minority Enterprise Advocate, MEA Magazine, the organizers of the prestigious awards ceremony which was tagged: "Women Going the Distance", honoured fifty most successful minority women business leaders across the United States.

Professor Akunyli is the first Nigerian to receive this award.

MEA Publisher, Debra William in a signed statement said Professor Akunyili was honoured for her efforts at re-branding Nigeria.

"I applaud Akunyili's efforts in re-branding Nigeria and for going the distance for success and excellence and her contribution to her country." 

The Minister was chosen from a pool of public nominations from the ranks of professionals.

The luncheon celebrated 'women who have endured; gone the distance for success and excellence and have contributed to their communities.'

The award committee said the objective of the awards was to 'celebrate these women as role models for their hardwork, honesty, perseverance, resilience and integrity.'

"The elated Akunyili while acknowledging the recognition given her said, "I am honoured to be recognized as a one of MEA Magazine’s ‘50 Powerful Women in Business.’

"I could not have achieved this honour without God and Nigerians. For whatever I am today I owe to Nigeria and the good people of Africa...

"I will not end my acceptance speech without mentioning that African women are good women and I will receive this honour on their behalf.

"The honour is to all of us."

Akunyili also seized the opportunity in her speech to reinforce the Re-branding Nigeria project, and called on all Nigerians in the diaspora to join hands in moving Nigeria forward.

In attendance were the Nigerian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. U. Joy Ogwu and other important dignitaries amongst African Americans.