Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, Governors of Southeast Nigeria and other dignitaries have extolled the lasting legacies of the former Governor of Abia State, Ogbonnaya Onu, as his remains were laid to rest in his village, Amelu Uburu Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
President Tinubu who was represented by Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi extolled the exemplary qualities of the late elder statesman describing him as a progressive. The Minister of Works said Onu was a progressive, a statesman and a believer in Nigerian projects.
“ Onu invaluable role in forming APC, development of Abia State, laying the foundation for the growth and development of Abia State. “Onu was a leader, a gentleman and a good man”, he informed.
The Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr Francis Nwifuru, who spoke on behalf of the South-East Governors Forum said that Onu left a legacy that will be difficult to be filled. “Onu laid a solid foundation, he was a man of integrity, and he demonstrated commitment to justice” “Onu was a colossus, he brought development to Abia State when he was Governor of Abia State.
The Governor said that even at challenging times Onu’s loyalty never wavers insisting that he built bridges across the board. Nwifuru extolled Governor Alex Otti for renaming Abia State Polytechnic Aba after the late Ogbonnaya Onu. During the Burial, the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party (LP) Mr Peter Obi, described the late Onu as a man of justice. Integrity and honour.
The event had in attendance former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim who doubles as the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Deputy Governor of Anambra State Mrs Onyekachi Ibezi, Alex Otti (Abia), Peter Mba (Enugu) and deputy Governor of Imo State Mrs Chinyere Ihuoma respectively.
Others include the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese Peter Nworie Chukwu, APC stalwarts, traditional rulers, youth organisations, market women, religious leaders and the clergy among others.
It would be recalled that Dr Ogbonnaya Onu died on Thursday, April 12th, 2024 at Abuja Hospital at the age of 72 years.
He was the first Civilian Governor of Abia State and former Nigerian Minister of Science and Technology/Innovation from November 2015 until his resignation in 2022. He was instrumental to the formation of the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the merger of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).
Onu later resigned from his position as Minister of Science and Technology to contest for the APC Presidential primary losing to the eventual winner of the general election President Bola Tinubu.
Dominica Nwabufo
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