By Ken Afor
President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound sadness over the demise of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who served as the first civilian governor of Abia State and later as the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
In a statement released by his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, on Thursday, Tinubu mourned the loss of a towering figure in Nigeria’s political landscape.
He described Onu as a “luminous star” and a key architect in the formation of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party, playing a vital role in the party’s victory in the 2015 general elections.
The former minister reportedly died in a health facility in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital on Thursday after a brief illness.
He was 72 years.
Beyond his political achievements, the President celebrated Onu’s life as an accomplished scholar, a first-class engineer, and a man of unwavering integrity. He commended Onu’s staunch commitment to upholding the highest standards of rectitude and his defiance against indiscipline.
Tinubu emphasized that Onu embodied the unity of Nigeria, as the late statesman believed in and defended the country’s unity, advocated for peace, and promoted fellowship across various regions.
The President extended his condolences to the Onu family, friends, associates, the governments of Ebonyi and Abia States, and all Nigerians mourning this profound loss.
In his statement, Tinubu prayed for the repose of Onu’s gentle soul and for God Almighty to grant the family and loved ones the strength to cope with their grief.
The statement reads in part: “President Tinubu affirms that Chief 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.
“The President also condoles with the friends and associates of Chief Onu, Ebonyi and Abia State Governments, and all Nigerians grieving this gaping loss.
“President Tinubu prays to God Almighty to grant repose to the gentle soul of this great leader.”
Onu, who held a PhD, served as the first civilian governor of Abia State from 1992 to 1993 after Nigeria’s return to democratic rule. He later served as minister of science and technology from 2015 to 2019 under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
He was also a former presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
