Tinubu, Buhari Mourn Ogbonnaya Onu

By Daniel Dafe

President Bola Tinubu has extended his deepest condolences to the Onu family over the passing of Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, CON.

Chief Onu passed away on Thursday at the age of 72.

A statement signed by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), said: “The President mourns a luminous star in Nigeria’s political firmament. The first civilian governor of Abia State; former minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, a principal draughtsman in the founding of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and a valiant partner in the victory of the party in the 2015 elections.”

Adding: “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.”

President Tinubu affirmed 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 condoled with the friends and associates of Chief Onu, Ebonyi and Abia State Governments, and all Nigerians grieving this gaping loss.

President Tinubu prayed to God Almighty to grant repose to the gentle soul of this great leader.

Meanwhile, former President Muhammadu Buhari joined family members of the deceased who served as minister of Science, Technology and Innovation under his administration.

In his reaction to the news of the death of the former chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, a party that once fielded him as a presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari said the nation had lost “one of its most outstanding scientific minds and intellectuals.”

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He described the deceased as an intellectual giant.

“My heart goes out to his family, the government and people of Abia State and the country at large. May his soul rest in peace,” he concluded.