Senator Nwebonyi who was addressing some journalists shortly after the interment of the late elder statesman in his country home, Uburu, Ebonyi state on November 8, 2024, said that Dr Ogbonnaya Onu was an erudite scholar, a prolific author, an astute leader, a seasoned administrator, a refined gentleman and an accomplished politician who bestrode the Nigerian political landscape like a colossus. He noted that Dr Onu was a symbol of political fidelity and national unity adding that he scored many firsts during his lifetime. He emphasized that Dr Onu graduated on top of his class at the Secondary school, bagged first class degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos, and earned a Doctorate from the University of California adding that he was the first Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering and first Acting Dean of the Faculty in the University of Port Harcourt before he joined politics and became the first democratically elected Governor of old Abia state, the first Chairman of Conference of Nigerian Elected Governors among other firsts in his eventful career as an academic and public servant.
Senator Nwebonyi, who doubles as the Vice Chairman of the ECOWAS Standing Committee on Education, Sciences, and Culture, noted that Nigeria had lost one of its finest leaders who built bridges of unity across religious, political, and ethnic divides, placing national unity above his interest. He maintained that Dr. Onu had made many sacrifices for the unity and progress of the country, citing the relinquishing of his presidential ticket in 1999 to Olu Falae to pave the way for equity and his pivotal role in the merger of political parties that birthed the ruling APC as some of his sacrifices to nation building.
“The void created by the unfortunate death of Dr Ogbonnaya Onu will be very difficult to fill. He personified political fidelity, national unity, honesty, integrity, and selflessness. He will be sorely missed by his family and all those who were privileged to come across him but our consolation is the enduring legacies he left behind.” Senator Nwebonyi said.
The burial ceremony was attended by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria represented by the Works Minister-Senator David Umahi, the National Chairman of APC- Abdullahi Ganduje, the Governors of the five Eastern States: Ebonyi -Francis Nwifuru, Abia -Alex Oti, Enugu -Peter Mba, with Charles Soludo-Anambra and Hope Uzodimma-Imo represented by their deputies, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology-Uche Nnaji, the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka- Professor Benard Odo and host of other important dignitaries.
Romanus Uzor Ozioko, the Special Assistant to the Senate Deputy Chief Whip on Media and Publicity forwarded this report to the National Panel News desk.
