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David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi
The Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, on Saturday announced that Nigeria has made remarkable inroads in technological development to fit in for global competition in several areas.
The Minister talked to journalists in Nnewi, Anambra State during his condolences with the family of late Major General Samuel Momah.
He said that the ministry was working strategically to reposition Nigeria in science and technology for wealth creation and global competition to make the country, as the largest market, the first technologically advanced nation in the African continent.
He described late Major General Momah as a great man who made enormous contributions to innovations and growth of the ministry when he served the nation as a Minister for Science and Technology.
He recalled that himself and late Momah served at Nigercem, Nkalagu in Enugu State at a point and were able to reform the company to make it profitable. He said the late Major General was a perfect gentleman and someone to work with.
He noted that the best way to immortalize Momah was to make sure that those ideals he stood for and his dreams were actualized. He consoled members of the bereaved family asking them to take solace in the fact that late Momah would be remembered for all the good things he did for the nation and humanity generally.
The Minister who later paid a condolence visit to the traditional ruler of Nnewi, Igwe Kenneth Orizu III told the monarch that he knew Momah for over 40 years ago and had a lot in common with him and cause to regret his demise.
He told the monarch to bear the loss with fortitude, describing the deceased as a very intelligent man.
“I was close to Momah up to when he rose to the rank of Major General and later became Minister for Science and Technology. I received the news of his death with shock, ” he said.
He explained that what attracted him to Igwe Kenneth Orizu III was the Igwe’s peaceful disposition, adding that the Igwe at 95 years was still stronger than some younger ones. He thanked God for that gift to the traditional ruler.
Senior staff of the ministry in Nnewi who joined the Honourable Minister in the visit included the Director of Technology Incubation Centre (TIC), Nnewi, Dr Uche Chukwu and the Managing Director of NEDDI, Arinze Nwosu.
The funeral attracted personalities from far and near to pay last respect to late Momah whose community gave the chieftaincy title of Ugomba Nnewi.
Former Governor of Anambra State, Virgy Etiaba; Emeka Etiaba (SAN); captains of industry, government officials were there and over seven Major Generals in the Nigerian Army, as well as scores of other lower ranks, attended the funeral. Some of the senior Army officers at the burial were Major General L.A.Adegboye who represented the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. T.Y. Buratai; Major General J.S. Malu; Major General S.A. Yaro, among others.
Buratai in his funeral rite described late Momah as an articulate, dedicated, loyal and hard-working officer with a good sense of purpose. He said the late Momah was committed to his duties, adding that his demise was a great loss to the Army, Nigerian nation and his family generally.
Late Momah was the Minister for Science and Technology between 1995 and 1999.
Some of the deceased children, Dr Emeka the first son and Dr Tobe described their father as a man of discipline who made sure that all his children received good education up to second and third degrees from good universities, home and abroad.
