Nigerians have continued to express shock over the passing of a former Minister of Science, Technology and innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu whose death was made public on Thursday.
NewsClick Nigeria gathered that the former minister was confirmed dead on Thursday at an undisclosed hospital in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu has extended his deepest condolences to his family, friends and associates.
The president in a statement issued by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, mourned the luminous star in Nigeria’s political firmament.
The deceased was the first civilian governor of Abia State, a principal draughtsman in the founding of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a valiant partner in the victory of the party in the 2015 elections.
Most importantly, the president celebrated the life of an accomplished scholar, first-class engineer; a man of proven integrity; defiant to indiscipline, but ever yielding to the highest standards of rectitude.
Tinubu affirmed that Onu epitomizes Nigeria in concord; in wholeness, as the late statesman believed in and defended Nigeria’s unity, advocated peace, and promoted fellowship across the Niger.
He also condoled with the friends and associates of Onu, Ebonyi and Abia State governments, and all Nigerians grieving this gaping loss.
Tinubu prayed to God Almighty to grant repose to the gentle soul of this great leader
Also, former President Muhammadu Buhari joined family members of the deceased and the entire country in mourning the demise of the notable politician, who served as minister of science, technology and innovation under his administration.
In his reaction to the news of the death of the former chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), a party that once fielded him as a presidential candidate, Buhari in a statement signed by his media aide, Garba Shehu said the nation had lost “one of its most outstanding scientific minds and intellectuals.
“He was an intellectual giant. My heart goes out to his family, the government and people of Abia State and the country at large. May his soul rest in peace.”
Also, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, Peter Obi, has described the death of Onu as a huge loss to Nigeria.
Obi said the former minister stood for peace and progress of Nigeria.
Paying tribute to Onu on X, Obi said, “It is with deep sadness that I received the reports of the death of my dear elder brother; the first civilian governor of Abia State and former minister of science, technology and innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.
“Dr Onu was a gentleman par excellence, a patriotic and detribalised Nigerian who served the nation in different capacities. His contributions to our educational growth as a lecturer and author remain commendable.”
Obi, who stressed that the late former minister was a leader who stood for peace and progress of the nation, added that Onu pursued justice and courageously stood up for equity and good governance.
He said the former presidential aspirant under the APC was committed to the development of the nation.
“As one who understood the critical need to move our nation from consumption to production, he pursued many initiatives to boost local production for the development of the nation.
“His death is, undoubtedly, a huge loss to the nation. May God console his family, and all of us who mourn him, and grant us the fortitude to bear his sad irreplaceable loss. May God grant him eternal rest,” Obi said.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has also expressed shock over the death of Onu and described it as devastating and unexpected.
In a statement by his chief press secretary and media adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, the governor said he received with “shock the sad, devastating and unexpected news of the passing of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, a man he loves to describe as one of Nigeria’s intellectual and political giants with extraordinary gentility.”
He said with Onu’s death, the South East, Nigeria and the global community have lost a statesman who believed so much in the unity, peace, progress and development of Nigeria.
Relatedly, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon.Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, expressed grief over the passing of the former minister.
Onyejeocha, in a statement, said she was shocked by the news and called Dr. Onu’s death a huge loss to the entire South East, Ebonyi State and Nigeria as a whole.
She described Onu as a role model, peacemaker and a unifying figure who prioritised the nation’s interests.
“His contributions to Nigeria’s development, she said, would be well-remembered. He was a highly respected politician, author and engineer. He left behind a lasting legacy. The nation owes him a great debt of gratitude for his contributions in both the public and private sectors throughout his life”, the minister stated.
In his reaction, a former deputy governor of Abia State and former Senate minority leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe expressed shock and sadness at the death of Onu.
Abaribe who represents Abia South in the Senate said in a statement by his media adviser, Uchenna Awom, in Abuja yesterday said Onu’s death was a huge loss to Nigeria, Ebonyi and Abia States.
Onu, he said charted the course for modern day Abia State such that “he is still being remembered for long after Afikpo was carved out of the state.
“As the first civilian governor of the state, he laid a solid foundation for which the God’s Own State became the first in all ramifications in the comity of states in Nigeria.
