By Dele Ogbodo
As Nigerians from different strata and divides trooped into Uburu, Ebonyi State, over the weekend to bid the former Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, farewell, President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has commended the impressive memories of the life and times of the former Minister.
He described him as a perfect gentleman and a committed progressive who dedicated his life and times for the service of the nation and humanity.
The Spokesperson to Umahi, Barr. Orji Orji, in a statement, said the funeral service was attended by prominent Nigerians, including the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chiief Uche Nnaji, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter N. Mbah, the Governors of Anambra and Imo States represented by their Deputies, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim and Lady Ekomaru Chinyere, respectively, the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, former Presidents of the Senate, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, Sen. Dr. Ken Nnamani, Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including the Deputy Whip of the 10th Senate, Sen. Onyekachi Peter Nwebonyi, former State Governors including the former presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, and the former Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi the Director- General, South-East Governors’ Forum, Sen. Uche Akwunife and a host of other dignitaries.
The President, said Onu would be remembered for his unwavering commitment to the unity and progress of Nigeria, which he demonstrated in the various services he rendered to the nation and in his tenacity of purpose towards promoting the progressive movement that gave rise to the birth of All Progressives Congress (APC) and the eventual emergence of the party in the Presidential election of 2015.
The condolence message reads: “Goodnight, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu. Goodbye Perfect Gentleman. When Onu died on April 11, 2024, I did not doubt that our country had lost a perfect gentleman, elder statesman, patriotic Nigerian and staunch believer in our march towards Nigeria’s true destiny as a great nation.
“Onu was a true progressive. He was also a quintessential politician, one many adored and looked up to for inspiration and direction.
“He believed in the ideals of the progressive movement as a way to develop our country, which is why he worked tirelessly for the progressives’ emergence on the nation’s stage in 2015.
“Onu’s contributions to forming our legacy political party, the All Progressives Congress, in the build-up to the 2015 election are on record. His then All Nigeria People’s Party was fractious at the time.
“But we can hardly forget how Onu rallied that party’s progressive wing to ally with the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria and Congress for Progressive Change to form the All Progressives Congress we have today. He provided leadership and direction within our party. The rest, as they say, is history.”
We must thank Dr. Onu, among others, for this critical work in the birth of our party and for what we have achieved thus far, Tinubu added.
“Thus far, our party has produced two Presidents, including me. It has, therefore, become imperative for us as leaders of our party and nation to continue to do our utmost best to provide good governance, uplift the living standards of our people, and hoist high the APC banner as we strive to take our country to the promised land.
“We must do this in memory of Dr. Onu and others who left us and helped to take our country to this day. Let us continue Dr. Onu’s work and strive to make him proud.
“Onu, did much more than the invaluable role he played in forming APC. He contributed a lot to the development of Abia State and Nigeria. Prolific author and renowned engineer, Dr. Onu was the first civilian governor of Abia State. He did the pioneering work, laying the infrastructural foundation for the State’s development for other successive governors to build on.
“He was a brilliant administrator and a committed public servant. As the Minister from November 2015 until his resignation in 2022, Onu was the longest-serving Minister of the Ministry.
“It was a mark of his competence and importance that he superintended that important sector for that long. Dr. Onu was genuinely impactful.”
The president, said he was a leader, a fine gentleman, and a good man. His soft-spoken and genial nature, coupled with his welcoming and accommodating demeanour, endeared him to all who had the priviledge of knowing him. His absence will be deeply felt by this nation, his family, professional colleagues, associates, and the countless individuals who saw him as a true leader and hero.
As Onu takes his final bow, I would like to express our deepest gratitude on behalf of a grateful nation for his invaluable services to Nigeria. We thank him and pray that his soul rest well in the bosom of the Lord. His legacy will continue to inspire us to strive for the ideals he held dear, Tinubu, said.