Senate Mourns Onu, Urges FG To Immortalise Him
By People’s Voice Nigeria | News
The Senate on Wednesday, passed homage to the deceased former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.
The apex legislative Assembly also called on the Federal Government to immortalise Onu, who was also a former Governor of the old Abia State.
The Red Chamber passed these resolutions following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator (Prof.) Anthony Ani, representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Presenting the motion, Professor Ani, who came under a matter of urgent public importance, lamented that the death of Onu was a great loss to the nation, noting that he died in an Abuja medical facility on April 11, after a brief illness.
The lawmaker said that Onu was a symbol of excellence and an academic icon in Nigeria, having obtained Distinctions in the West African School Certificate Examination and finishing as the overall best student at the College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu.
He also told his colleagues that Onu earned a First Class Honours degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos, and a Ph.D in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, USA.
He said that Onu was the pioneer Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, and a pioneer staff of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Part of the motion reads: “Motion of urgent national importance: Urging the Senate to pay tribute to late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations.
“Mr. President and distinguished colleagues,
The Senate: notes with a deep sense of loss, the death of Chief Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, which occurred on the 11th of April, 2024, at an Abuja hospital, after a brief illness.
“Further notes that late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu was born on 1st December 1951, and was elected the first Executive Governor of old Abia State (now Abia and part of Ebonyi States).
“Informed that late Dr Ogbonnaya Onu was a symbol of excellence and an academic icon in Nigeria, having obtained Distinctions in the West African School Certificate Examination and finishing as the overall best student at the College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu, First Class Honours degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos, and PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, USA.”
“Further informed that late Dr Ogbonnaya Onu was the pioneer Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, and a pioneer staff of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
“Aware that late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu was the first Chairman of the Conference of elected Governors in Nigeria (now Governors’ Forum).
“Also, aware that the late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu was the first Presidential flag bearer of the All People’s Party (APP) in the 1999 Presidential election in Nigeria.
“Further aware that late Dr Ogbonnaya Onu was the National Chairman of the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), at the time the party was merged with other political parties to form the current ruling party in Nigeria, the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
“Seconding the motion, Senator Orji Kalu (APC- Abia North), said that the late Onu was a good man and contributed to the unity and stability of Nigeria.
Deputy President of Senate, Senate
Barau Jubrin (APC-Kano) said that Onu was a man of integrity, who was unassuming even as Chairman of a National Party.
Barau said that he was a man, who preached internal democracy and played a key role in the formation of the APC, describing him as a man, who demonstrated great humility.
“I stand to pay a tribute to a man of honour, a man of integrity and a man who was humble.
He was a governor and later after passing through various offices, became the chairman of a very big opposition party. Yet, he was very humble.
“He lived a life of service to our nation, he was an epitome of humility, an epitome of credibility and an epitome of integrity.
Senator Abba Moro (PDP- Benue) said Onu did not have an enemy like water and contributed to the development of Nigeria, adding that he sacrificed his personal interest in the interest of peace and stability of Nigeria.
Other Senators, including Ali Ndume, Danjuma Goje, and Enyinnaya Abaribe, among others paid glowing tribute to the first Executive Governor of Abia.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, said that Onu was a pillar in the formation of the APC as a mega party, describing him as simple and a friend of all, who sacrificed for the good of the nation.
Thereafter, the Senate observed a minute silence in honour of Onu and urged the Federal Government to immortalise him, just as it also resolved to send a delegation of seven-man committee to condole his family.
The Committee has Senator Ashiru Oyelola, as Chairman, while Senators Abba Moro, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Seriake Dickson, Anthony Ani, Ireti Kingibe and Idiat Oluranti are members of the Committee.
