President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, mourned the first civilian governor of Abia State and former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu.
Onu died on Thursday at the age of 72.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu described Onu as a luminous star in Nigeria’s political firmament.
Tinubu extended his condolences to the family of Onu, whom he praised for being a principal draughtsman in the founding of the All Progressives Congress and a valiant partner in the victory of the party in the 2015 elections.
“Most importantly, the President celebrates 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,” said Ngelale.
Tinubu affirmed that Onu epitomises Nigeria in concord and wholeness, as the late statesman “believed in and defended Nigeria’s unity, advocated peace, and promoted fellowship across the Niger.”
The President also condoled with Onu’s friends and associates, Ebonyi and Abia State Governments, and all Nigerians grieving this gaping loss.
He, therefore, prayed to God Almighty to grant repose to the gentle soul of this great leader.
Also, former President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday mourned Onu.
In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari described Onu as “one of Nigeria’s most outstanding scientific minds and intellectuals.”
Buhari extended his condolences to the family of the former chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, whom he described as a notable politician.
“He was an intellectual giant.
“My heart goes out to his family, the government and people of Abia State and the country at large,” Buhari said.
In the same vein, a former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Kalu, has expressed sadness over the death of Onu.
The Senate Committee Chairman on Privatisation acknowledged Onu’s contributions to nation building, even as he urged his family to be consoled, as their late patriarch lived a purposeful life.
Kalu, in a condolence message issued by his media office in Abakaliki, described Onu, a frontline politician, author, engineer and former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, as a nationalist with passion for unity and progress of Nigeria.
“I urge the deceased’s children and loved ones to sustain his worthy legacies, as his death is a huge loss to Ndigbo and Nigeria in general.
“The late statesman was a consummate politician and selfless philanthropist who served meritoriously in various capacities in the public sector.
“His wise counsel on national issues will be greatly missed, as he will be remembered for his outstanding leadership qualities,” he said.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State was in shock to hear about the death of Onu.
A statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Imo State Governor, said his principal received with shock the sad, devastating and unexpected news of the passing of Onu, a man he loves to describe as one of Nigeria’s intellectual and political giants with extraordinary gentility.
The statement said that 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.
The statement further said that Onu, 72, remained a leading light in the All Progressives Congress family having, for many years, imbibed the tenets of progressive democracy as the easiest route to serve the people.
The statement said that Governor Uzodimma therefore consoled the APC family, President Bola Tinubu and the government of Nigeria, the South East geopolitical zone, the government and people of Ebonyi State and all political associates of the deceased over the huge.
Nwachuku also said that his principal spared a thought for Onu’s family and prayed God to give them the grace to bear the burden of the unexpected loss even as he prayed for the repose of the soul of the one-time presidential aspirant of the APC and presidential candidate of the defunct All Peoples Party.
