Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has renamed the Abia State Polytechnic Aba after the first Executive Governor of the State, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.
Governor Otti made the announcement, Thursday, during a solenm Commendation Service held in honour of the late revered statesman at the International Conference Center, Umuahia.
He said; “We as a state have decided to immortalize him by renaming the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba after him.
“The Polytechnic will henceforth be known as Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba”.
Aged 72, Dr. Onu, who passed away in April 2024 had served the country as the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation and had during his tenure as the first executive Governor of Abia State set up major administrative and service-delivery structures that are functional till date including the National Ambassador Newspaper.
The Governor in his speech titled, “OGBONNAYA ONU: A LEGACY THAT CANNOT BE ECLIPSED BY THE MISERY OF DEATH”, lauded the late leader for his contributions to Abia State and Nigeria as a whole adding that his demise has created a social and political void that will be very difficult to fill.
He highlighted that the deceased made significant contributions to Abia State’s development, especially in the education sector with the founding of the Abia State Polytechnic, the Abia State College of Education (Technical), and supporting the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, now Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU).
“The simultaneous establishment of these institutions in the three senatorial districts of the State speaks to Dr Onu’s distinction as a strategic leader who understands the connection between institutions of learning and the development of the critical manpower necessary for holistic and widespread economic growth”, Otti said.
He recalled Dr Onu’s notable act of patriotism in 1999 when he sacrificed his presidential bid for national unity, and pointed out that the deceased showed great commitment to Nigeria’s future.
“He loved the country and its democratic future more than his desire to occupy the exalted seat of the presidency.
“Dr Onu was by every measure, qualified to serve this country as its president at the dawn of the Fourth Republic and had a good run at it. He only had to let go of his ambition when circumstances contrived against it but he still found other veritable ways of serving the country he loved so dearly.
“He was an important voice for democracy, a true nationalist and patriot who saw beyond the narrow prism of ethnicity and religion. He saw every Nigerian as a citizen who has the right to pursue their economic and social aspirations from any part of the country, unrestricted by individual or institutional biases.
“Dr Onu’s greatness goes beyond his remarkable run in politics which offered him the platform to serve as the first democratically-elected Governor of our dear State, Abia, Minister of the Federal Republic, former National Chairman of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), a former presidential candidate and a founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and a voice of conscience in very difficult moments.
“As outstanding as his services and contributions to national development are, his enduring value for me would be in his humble disposition to life, an understanding that there is great power in being graceful, especially when we suffer personal setbacks”, Otti remarked.
Governor Otti who onbehalf of the people of Abia extended his condolences to the Onu family and the people of Ebonyi State,called on the people to emulate his life of service and integrity and live with a sense of purpose.
In his homily, the Bishop of Umuahia Catholic Diocese, His Lordship Michael Ukpong stressed the need for all to live responsibly in the society and know that death is a reminder to all of what the end of life looks like.
He noted that the former Governor affected lives positively and left indelible marks in Abia with which he would be remembered for including contributions such as attracting the rebuilding of the Abia Tower of Peace, establishment of BCA and National Ambassador among others.
The church service attracted the presence of notable personalities including including the chairman, National burial planning committee, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim among others
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