Written By: Jacobs Dunga, Lagos
The first-ever civilian Governor of Abia State Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has been reported to have died on Thursday morning in Abuja.
The former science and technology minister under the administration of former president Muhammadu Buhari was 72 years old before his passing.
A relative of the former Governor confirmed the news of his death to Sahara Reporters as revealed by Gistmate.
Dr. Onu was said to have been sick and receiving treatment at an Abuja hospital where he breathed last.
“He has been sick for some time this year and his family said they would fly him abroad to get better medical treatment for him but he could not make it till then,” the source said.
He was born on December 1, 1951, in Ohaozara, Southern Region, British Nigeria (Ebonyi State.)
A former teacher, lecturer, and politician until his death, he became the first civilian Governor of Abia State in 1991 under the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC).
He became the maiden chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Elected Governors in 1999 and was also elected as the national chairman of the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) in 2010.
The party went on to merge with four other parties in 2015 to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) which has since become the ruling party in Nigeria.
He served as the minister of science, technology, and innovation under Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 until his resignation in 2022.
Dr, Ogbonnaya Onu was one of the most respected South Eastern political pioneers who was considered a complete model of rectitude in the political and educational sectors.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
