11th April 2024, NewsOrient
News

Former Minister of Science and Technology in Nigeria, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, is dead. He was 72.

Dr Onu, from the present day Ebonyi State, was the First Civilian Governor of old Abia State before Ebonyi State was created.

He was one of the leaders that founded the current ruling political party in Nigeria, All Progressive Congress (APC).

Confirming Dr Onu’s demise earlier today, according to reports in Channels Television, are Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru; his Imo State counterpart, Hope Uzodimma and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

They reportedly confirmed Dr Onu’s death in separate statements on Thursday.

“Onu died in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” Gov Uzodimma, an APC governor in the Southeast zone, was quoted as saying.

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, in his statement said: “I received with rude shock the news of the death of the former Governor of Old Abia State, and an illustrious Son of our State, His Excellency Dr Ogbonna Onu.

“It is indeed a sad development to lose a patriotic leader who stopped at nothing to render the best services to his people when he served in different capacities.”

“On behalf of the Government and people of Ebonyi State, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the immediate family and pray to God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

The ruling party, APC, in a brief statement on its X handle also said Onu will be “sorely missed”.

~ NewsOrient