Mohammed Shosanya
The first civilian Governor of Abia State and former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation,Dr.Ogbonnaya Onu,is dead.
Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, served as the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation under President Muhammadu Buhari administration for over seven years.
A release signed and issued on Thursday by Dr. Uzoma Onu, on behalf of the family, said Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu died earlier today(Thursday), the 11th day of April, 2024, at the age of 73 years.
According to the release, “In total submission to the will of the Almighty God, the family of His Royal Highness, Late Eze David Aba Onu, Eze Adu of Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area Of Ebonyi State announces the death of our distinguished son, His Excellency, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu who died earlier today, the 11th day of April, 2024, at the age of 73 years.
“His Excellency, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, former Governor of old Abia State and was the first Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Governors (Nigeria Governors Forum).
“He was the former National Chairman/NationaI Leader of defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
“Also, he initiated and facilitated discussions that finally resulted in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), that has been the ruling Political party in tie country Since May 29, 2015.
“Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, was the former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, a position he held for seven years having been re-appointed in the second tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“He resinged as Minister and contested for the presidential primaries of the APC.
“As an illustrious son of our dear nation, he has travelled to all States of the Federation and almost every local governments and holds many traditional titles, some of which include: Ikeoha of Uburu, Ikemba of Afikpo, Ozuruigbo of Oshiri; Aka Ekpuchi Anyanwu of Izhia Kingdom, all in Ebonyi State; Ogbuagu of Abiriba, Ugochinyere of Umuahia, Enyioha of Alayi, Enyioma of Umuojima, Ekwueme of Ania, Ohafia, all in Abia State; Ozurumba of Orlu, Odiukonamba of Eziudo Mbaise, Ugochinyere of Owerri, Ugomba of Okwudor, all in Imo State; Akajiugo of Nnewi, Dikeora of Abagana, Eze Udo of Iseke Kingdom, Odezuruigbo of Enugwu Adazi Kingdom, Dikeora Ndigbo N’ukpo of Ukpo, all in Anambra State; Ekwueme of Amurri Ancient Kingdom, Obioha of Ekpulato Ancient Kingdom, all in Enugu State; Okumada of Yala, Cross River State; Dike-Eji-Eme-Udo of Eastern States; the Akile of Ifon Orolu Kingdom, Osun State; Garkuwan Arewa of Maru, Zamfara State.”
Dr. Uzoma Onu said the burial arrangements would be announced in due course by the family.
Meanwhile, Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatization and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has expressed sadness over the passing of Dr. Onu.
Describing the frontline politician as a nationalist with passion for unity and progress of Nigeria, Kalu acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the former minister to nation building.
The former governor while admonishing the Onu family to take solace in the fact that their late patriarch lived a purposeful life, urged the deceased’s children and loved ones to sustain his worthy legacy.
In a condolence message, Kalu said: “The demise of former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, is a huge loss to Ndigbo and Nigeria in general.
“The late statesman was a consummate politician and selfless philanthropist who was committed to nation building.
“Having served meritoriously in various capacities in the public sector, his wise counsel on national issues will be greatly missed.
“He will be remembered for his outstanding leadership qualities.The former governor will be greatly missed”.
Kalu prayed for eternal rest for the late politician.
Born on December 1, 1951, to the family of Eze David Aba Onu in Amata, Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of then Eastern region, later Imo State, then Abia State and now Ebonyi State, Onu was an academic, politician, author and engineer.
He was the first civilian governor of old Abia State and was the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of Nigeria from November 2015 until his resignation in 2022.
He was the longest serving minister of the ministry.
He started his education at Izzi High School in Abakaliki, now the Ebonyi State capital where he obtained grade one with distinction in his West African School Certificate Examination.
He also sat for the High School Examination at College of Immaculate Conception (C.I.C) Enugu, graduating as the overall best student.
He proceeded to the University of Lagos and graduated with a first class degree in chemical engineering in 1976.
He went for his doctoral studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree in chemical engineering in 1980.
Ogbonnaya Onu started his political career as an aspirant for a senatorial seat in the old Imo State on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
He contested for the position of Governor of Abia State in 1991 under the umbrella of the National Republican Convention and won.
He was sworn in as the first governor of the state in January 1992.He was the first Chairman, Conference of Nigerian elected governors.
In 1999, he was the presidential flag bearer for the All People’s Party but relinquished the position to Olu Falae after a merger of his party with the Alliance for Democracy.
Falae lost to General Olusegun Obasanjo of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).
He became the National Chairman of the All Nigerian People’s Party in 2010.
In 2013, ANPP successfully merged with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Democratic People’s Party (DPP) and some members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In 2015, he was appointed Minister of Science and Technology by President Muhammadu Buhari.
