Abia State has bid farewell to its first civilian governor, Dr Christopher Ogbonnaya Onu, whose remains was brought to Umuahia for an interdenominational commendation church service Thursday, organised in his honour by the state government.
In appreciation of Onu’s impactful contribution to Abia’s steady growth, the state Governor, Alex Otti immortalised the pioneer democratically-elected Abia Chief Executive by renaming the Abia State Polytechnic after him.
“The Polytechnic will henceforth be known as “Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba”, Otti declared to a huge applause of approval by the congregation at the interdenominational service.
The body of the man described as the most decent and likeable politician was brought to the capital city of the state he had christened “God’s Own State” when he was the governor. It was brought into the International Conference Centre where a waiting throng of mourners that gathered to bid the late governor final farewell.
Gov Otti: Dr Ogbonnaya Onu was development-oriented leader, deserves to be immortalised.
In a poignant tribute, Otti, who is the fifth chief executive of Abia, stated that his late predecessor “not only laid the foundation for the dynamic and structured development of all parts of the State, he set up major administrative and service-delivery structures that are still functioning till today”.
He described Onu as “a development conscious leader” who believed in the deployment of educational institutions for youth empowerment and manpower development.
“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,” he said.
The Abia governor recalled that it was during Onu’s shortlived tenure that he established Abia State Polytechnic, Abia State College of Education Technical Arochukwu (ASCETA), College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, and attracted the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU), Umudike.
Abiapoly: Now known as Dr Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Aba, says Gov Otti.
Otti said: “Dr Onu was one leader who believed that our true path to development is in building institutions that train and equip our young ones with the knowledge that makes them productive and competitive, especially in relevant fields of technology, science, education and agriculture”.
According to him, it was because of Onu’s belief in the transforming power of education that he stopped at nothing in “making education the most important industry in (Abia) State under his watch”.
“Our former Governor taught us unforgettable life lessons in the power of dreaming and thinking big, consistency and broad mindedness in our interactions.
“These are values that inspire nations to greatness; the time has now come for us to collectively embrace these ideals and live them out, just like our patriarch and father did,” Otti stated.
L-R, Abia State Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, Governor Alex Otti, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of Methodist Church, Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ambassador Okey Emuchay, Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Most Rev Michael Kalu Ukpong, other clerics wait for the arrival of Ogbonnaya Onu’s body at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.
Recalling Onu’s political trajectory, Otti noted that the former Minister of Science. Technology, and Innovation strongly believed in the unity of Nigeria and demonstrated it by making personal sacrifices in the interest of the nation.
“Dr Ogbonnaya Onu gave up the presidential ticket of the now defunct All Peoples Party (APP) in the build up to the 1999 general elections because he believed that the long term unity of the nation mattered more than his political ambition.
“He did not cling unto what he had rightfully earned for the simple reason that he loved the country and its democratic future more than his desire to occupy the exalted seat of the presidency,” Otti said.
However, the Abia Governor noted that beyond his easy-going nature, “Onu was also a man of great conviction who never shied away from saying the truth whenever necessary, even to the most powerful individual, as he did many times in his long public service career”.
“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,” he said.
Bishop Michael Kalu Ukpong: Dr Onu left indellible marks in Abia State.
In his sermon, the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Most Rev Michael Kalu Ukpong said that the deceased former Abia governor made positive contributions for the good of the society while he lived.
He said that in the eyes of God, Onu remains alive because of the promise of eternal life which is the hope of every Christian
Bishop Ukpong further noted that even in the eyes of Abia people, their pioneer civilian governor is not dead since he has left indellible marks in the state.
He backed his assertion by citing the establishment of the BCA Radio/TV, the state polytechnic and college of education, college of agriculture, and the Abia Tower of Peace, which is the symbol of the state, among many other legacies that defined Onu’s shortlived administration in Abia.
Final goodbye from Abia as Onu’s body leaves ICC Umuahia to Uburu, his final resting place.
It was a fitting farewell for Onu as Abia, which he had named God’s Own State, found it deserving to celebrate him and keep his memory alive and glowing.
Onu was the Governor of Abia from January 1992 to December 1993 when the second republic collapsed following military termination of the civil rule.
