Former minister Ogbonnaya Onu is dead

A former Abia State Governor Dr Ogbonnaya Onu is dead.

Onu also served as minister of science and technology in the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Reports said Onu, a 72-year-old, died on Thursday morning at an Abuja hospital.

Onu contested for the presidential ticket of the All Progressive Congress (APC) during the 2023 general election but lost to President Bola Tinubu in 2022.

He was the first civilian governor of Abia State and was the minister of science, technology, and innovation of Nigeria from November 2015 until his resignation in 2022.

Former Abia State governor Orji Uzor Kalu said Onu’s death is a huge loss to Ndigbo and Nigeria in general.

“The late statesman was a consummate politician and selfless philanthropist who was committed to nation building. Having served meritoriously in various capacities in the public sector, his wise counsel on national issues will be greatly missed,” Kalu said.

“He will be remembered for his outstanding leadership qualities. The former Governor will be greatly missed. I pray for eternal rest for the late politician.”

Former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chidi Odinkalu also mourned Onu on Thursday.

“He taught formidable lessons in conviction. He was a resilient, dogged advocate for his beliefs & a man of decency & simplicity,” Odinkalu said in a post on X.

“At the personal level, he offered me a lot of encouragement even in unpopular causes. I am grateful for his life & legacies.”