Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Chief Hycienth Ngwu, a stalwart of All Progressives Congress (APC) in South-East, says former Governor of old Abia State, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, believed in party supremacy, collective aspirations and selfless service.
Ngwu, a former South-East Publicity Secretary of the ruling APC, said this in a condolence message issued to newsmen in Enugu on Friday.
It would be recalled that the late Onu served as the first civilian governor of old Abia State, before the creation of Ebonyi.
He passed away on Thursday morning, April 12, 2024, after battling an undisclosed illness.
Ngwu, who is a foundation member of the APC, said that Onu lived a simple life and made sure he practiced what he preached.
He said: “It was indeed a devastating and heartbreaking news to learn of the passing on to the higher levels of one of the most consistent and pragmatic Igbo politicians.
“Onu, apart from being former Governor of Abia State, Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was also a National Chairman of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), an APC National leader, and a Presidential Aspirant.
“Throughout his political career, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu remained consistent in his belief in party supremacy, supremacy of collective aspirations and selfless service to all and sundry.”
The APC chieftain called on Nigerian to celebrate his lofty ideals, “while we mourn his demise.”
“And in so doing, pray that the living should learn from his lifestyle and selfless service to humanity.
“We have lost a true Nigerian,” he said.
Onu also served as Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation in the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration from 2015 to 2023.
