President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to the late pioneer democratically-elected governor of the old Abia State, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, who was his cherished political ally.
Onu, who had served as Minister of Science and Technology in the last administration, Ogbonnaya Onu, answered the last call in April after an illness.
In a two-page page effusive expression of sorrow, Tinubu touched on Onu’s highly principled political life, describing him as “a perfect gentleman and a true leader”.
The tribute entitled: “Goodnight, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Goodbye Perfect Gentleman” was personally signed by Mr. President, a sign of the high regard he held the late Ebonyi State-born politician, who shared the same political platfom with him.
He specially pointed out Onu’s attributes, saying that he was an authentic progressive and quintessential politician, who contributed immensely to the formation of “the legacy party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)”.
Tinubu recalled how Onu displayed his leadership and progressive credentials during the formation of APC, noting that he pulled off the progressive wing of the then fractious All Nigeria People’s Party(ANPP) and allied it with the Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN) to form the now ruling APC.
He stated that Onu’s well acknowledged contributions to the formation of “our legacy political party, the All Progressives Congress” has been a fruitful and worthy political venture as APC has, since 2015, produced two presidents, namely Muhammadu Buhari and himself.
He said: “We thank him and pray that his soul rest well in the bosom of the Lord. His legacy will continue to inspire us to strive for the ideals he held dear.
“When Dr Ogbonnaya Onu died on April 11, 2024, I did not doubt that our country had lost a perfect gentleman, elder statesman, patriotic Nigerian, and staunch believer in our march towards Nigeria’s true destiny as a great nation.
“Dr Onu was a true progressive. He was also a quintessential politician, one many adored and looked up to for inspiration and direction.
“He believed in the ideals of the progressive movement as a way to develop our country, which is why he worked tirelessly for the progressives’ emergence on the nation’s stage in 2015.
“He provided leadership and direction within our party. The rest, as they say, is history. We must thank Dr. Onu, among others, for this critical work in the birth of our party and for what we have achieved thus far. Thus far, our party has produced two presidents, including me.
“It has, therefore, become imperative for us as leaders of our party and nation to continue to do our utmost best to provide good governance, uplift the living standards of our people, and hoist high the APC banner as we strive to take our country to the Promised Land.
“We must do this in memory of Dr. Onu and others who left us and helped to take our country to this day. Let us continue Dr. Onu’s work and strive to make him proud.
Apart from highlighting the “invaluable role” Onu played in the formation of the ruling APC, President Tinubu also pointed out that as the first civilian governor of God’s Own State, Dr Onu “did much more” in helping to steady the steps of Abia in its infancy.
“He contributed a lot to the development of Abia State and Nigeria,” said Mr. President, adding that Dr Onu was a prolific author and renowned engineer .
“He did the pioneering work, laying the infrastructural foundation for the state’s development for other successive governors to build on. He was a brilliant administrator and a committed public servant”.
Tinubu also acknowledged Dr Onu’s sterling performance as the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation from November 2015 until his resignation in 2022, (which was the reason) “Dr Onu was the longest-serving minister of the ministry”.
“It was a mark of his competence and importance that he superintended that important sector for that long. Dr. Onu was genuinely impactful. Goodbye Perfect Gentleman.
“Dr Onu was a leader, a fine gentleman, and a good man. His soft-spoken and genial nature, coupled with his welcoming and accommodating demeanour, endeared him to all who had the privilege of knowing him,” Mr. President said.
While he lamented Dr Onu’s journey to eternity, Tinubu noted that “his absence will be deeply felt by this nation, his family, professional colleagues, associates, and the countless individuals who saw him as a true leader and hero”.