• Soludo, Ngige, others mourn former science minister
From Magnus Eze (Enugu), Daniel Kanu (Lagos), Emmanuel Uzor (Awka), Okey Sampson (Umuahia), Isaac Anumihe (Abuja)
Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has commended the outstanding leadership qualities of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the former Science and Technology minister and former governor of old Abia State, who died on April 11, 2024 at the age of 72 years.
Governor Soludo in his condolence message praised the sterling contributions Onu made in diverse spheres of public service in his lifetime.
He noted that Onu’s impressive legacy extended far beyond his tenure as a state governor.
“A former lecturer and the first civilian governor of Abia State, he also served Nigeria selflessly in numerous capacities, including Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation in former President Buhari’s administration, and as a former national chairman of the All Nigeria’s Peoples Party (ANPP).
Soludo further eulogised Dr. Onu as a leader known for his steadfast principles, decency and simplicity, adding that his contributions to national development, from his role as the first chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Elected Governors to his advocacy for scientific advancement, would be deeply missed.
Similarly, immediate past minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, while mourning Onu, described him as one of forces that dismantled the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) 16 years rule.
Ngige in his condolence message described Onu’s exit as an unquantifiable loss to Nigeria, and South East in particular.
He noted that the account of political development in the country, especially from the truncated Third Republic till date, could not be complete without mentioning Dr Onu’s positive contributions.
According to him, when Nigerians needed a change from the 16-year rule of the PDP, Dr. Onu made himself the sacrificial lamb to offer Nigerians an alternative in the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Governorship candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State in the 2023 election, Chief Chukwuma Odii and a former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in the state, Dr. Benjamin Igwenyi, both described the late Onu as an epitome of integrity, honesty and patriotism.
Odii said the former Abia State governor was one of the very few Nigerians that believed in superior interest of Nigeria.
He described Onu’s death as shock and great loss to Ebonyi State and Nigeria in general, noting that his democratic credentials were unrivalled.
He added that as one of the proponents of democracy, rule of law and the will of the people, Onu was one of those that stood their ground for the country to return to civil rule.
On his part, Igwenyi said the deceased was a great man whose brand of politics was misunderstood by Nigerians. He stated that Onu maintained his political party from day one till death.
“He won elections severally and was not allowed to rule but he remained calm and believed in the future. He was decent, extremely intelligent and uncorrupt and should be remembered as a child of God in all respects.
“Igboland and Nigeria have lost the best man ever-ready to rule but was rigged out at regional and national levels,” Igwenyi said.
In the same vein, All Progressives Congress Board of Trustees (BoT) and national caucus member (APC), Prince Benjamin Apugo, in his condolence message described the Onu as embodiment of good character.
Prince Apugo recalled the role he played in making Dr. Onu the first governor of Abia State and said he was happy the immediate past Science and Technology minister never disappointed him as a governor.
Apugo said that Onu governed Abia with the fear of God and did not loot the state unlike some others after him.
Minister of Works, Engineer Dave Umahi in his condolence message described the death of Onu as the “bitterest moment for the people of Uburu community in Ebonyi State.
Umahi, who comes from the same Uburu Community with Ogbonnaya Onu, stated that the people of the community in Ebonyi State have lost an illustrious son who set a hallmark of precedents in intellect, integrity, industry, objectivity, and passion for excellence in all his encounters in governance and public affairs.
Former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ambassador Frank Ogbuewu described the death of Onu as “quite devastating, sad, and unexpected.”
He said that Onu was a man so humble and loved by his people, Ebonyi State, Nigeria and beyond.
Ogbuewu said Onu was a gentleman to the core, a strong political force as his contemporary and sound intellectual, adding: “We have lost a worthy statesman who believed so much in the unity, peace, progress and development of the country. He has been a very wonderful person and a very peaceful personality.
His contribution to the growth of Ebonyi State and Nigeria is huge. We will miss him.”