By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki.
President Bola Tinubu has bid goodbye to the late Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the immediate former Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, who described him as a perfect gentleman and a symbol of peace, unity, and prosperity in Nigeria.
Tinubu who stated this at the weekend during the funeral service of Onu, the former Governor of old Abia State in Uburu, Ohaozara local government area of Ebonyi State, also described him as a selfless leader whose leadership ideal would continue to inspire oneness, equity and fairness in Nigeria.
The President, represented by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, further stated that Onu was a committed progressive leader and dedicated to the service of the nation and humanity during his lifetime.
Tinubu insisted that the late Dr 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.
He commended Onu's tenacity of purpose towards promoting the progressive movement that gave rise to the birth of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the eventual emergence of the party in the Presidential election of 2015.
Reading his condolence message captioned, "Goodnight, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Goodbye Perfect Gentleman," President Tinubu recalled that Onu died on April 11, 2024.
He added: "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.
"Dr 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.
"Dr 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.
"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.
"Dr. 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 of Science, Technology, and Innovation from November 2015 until his resignation in 2022, Dr 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.
"Dr. Onu was a leader, a fine gentleman, and a good man. His soft-spoken and genial nature, coupled with his welcoming and accommodating de demeanor endeared him to all who had the privilege 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 Dr. 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."
In his remarks, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State said the late Dr Onu played a vital role in the development and unity of the country.
“Through every role he held, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the ideals of justice, development, and unity. He pursued equity and social justice till his last breath on earth. His Excellency, Dr Onu dedicated himself wholly, not just to building infrastructure while serving as Governor of Abia State from where some part of Ebonyi politically and sociologically grew, but to building people, uniting communities, and elevating the voices of those who often were unheard. In his time as governor of Old Abia state, His Excellency Dr Ogbonnaya Christopher Onu led with vision and tireless energy. Under his guidance, our roads were modernized, schools were built, and our healthcare system saw advancements that impacted thousands of lives.
”I am pretty sure years after leaving office, successive administrations consolidated his legacies because the policies and programs of his government were all people-centric —making it impossible for other administrations to abandon. His vision wasn’t limited to his tenure; he dreamed of a future where this state would be a beacon of excellence and prosperity.
”Today, as we reflect on his achievements, we see that his dream is still alive and growing. As a Minister of Science and Technology— Dr Onu took that same spirit to the national level, advocating for our region and pushing forward policies that uplifted communities across the country. He was instrumental in fostering relationships that brought development and innovation to our people. He wore the mantle of leadership with dignity, advocating tirelessly for our rights, and standing as a pillar of support for those in need.
“Within our party, the All Progressives Congress, he was a chieftain who guided us with wisdom and grace. His values, his words, and his humility reminded us all of the principles that unite us... even in challenging times, his loyalty never wavered nor faltered—his dedication to the people was steadfast.
“He built bridges, inspired generations, and left an enduring example of what true leadership should be. It is sad that to say His Excellency Dr Ogbonnaya Christopher Onu did not live to see and enjoy his desire and quest for equity and social justice in the context of the Igbo presidency. Only God knows why.”
“Today, we bid farewell not just to a former governor, a former minister, and a party chieftain, but to a hero of our state, a friend, a mentor, and an irreplaceable part of our community in particular and our state in general.
“May his soul rest in peace, and may we continue to honor him in all that we do.
Thank you, and may God bless us all as we keep his memory alive in our hearts," Nwifuru said.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu, Senator Anyim Pius - former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, 2023 Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Umar Ganduje, Governors Alex Otti, Francis Nwifuru, and Peter Mbah were among the prominent Nigerians who attended the burial.
Other personalities who attended the burial included Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra Stat,e who was represented by his Deputy, and his Imo State counterpart, Hope Uzodimma represented by his Deputy, former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, former Rivers State Governor, among others.
