The remains of the pioneer civilian Governor of old Abia State, Dr. Christopher Ogbonnaya Onu, has been laid to rest in his hometown, Amata Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State amid tributes by President Bola Tinubu and Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru.
The funeral service, which was held on Friday at the All Saints Catholic Church, Uburu, was attended by several dignitaries from across the country.
In attendance at the funeral were Governors of the South East, other top politicians across the nation, past and present state and federal legislators and diverse party chieftains, including the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje.
President Tinubu’s funeral oration delivered by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, described late Onu as a perfect gentleman, a patriotic statesman and strong believer in Nigeria’s march to her true destiny as a great nation.
The President stated that Onu was among the pioneers who did critical work in the birth of the All Progressives Congress as well as provided leadership direction within the party.
He regretted that the death has robbed the nation off a brilliant administrator and a committed public servant who always left indelible footprints along his track.
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He described Onu’s stewardship as Governor of old Abia State and the longest serving minister in the federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation from 2015 to 2022 as marked with both competence and impact.
Tinubu said: “Dr. Onu did much more than the invaluable role he played in forming APC.
“He contributed a lot to the development of Abia State and Nigeria.
“He was the first civilian Governor of Abia State where he did the pioneering work, laying the infrastructural foundation for the state’s development for other successive governors to build on.
“It has also 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.
“We must do this in memory of Dr Onu and others who left us and helped to take our country to this day.”
Speaking for the South East Governors, Governor Nwifuru said the late Onu would continue to be remembered by his relentless pursuit of democratic ideals of national unity, social justice and equity.
Nwifuru described Onu as a humble, passionate, compassionate and empathic leader whose legacies have outlived him by their irresistible appeal for continuity, as demonstrated by successive administrations in Abia State and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, where he served.
He, however, regretted with a heavy heart that Onu did not live to see the fruition of his dreams and strivings for a Nigeria nation where justice, equity and fairness reign supreme.
He said: “Through every role he held, he demonstrated unwavering commitment to the ideals of justice, development and unity.
“He pursued equity and social justice with his life breath on earth.
“Today we reflect on his achievements and we see that his dreams are still alive and growing.
“It is sad to say that His Excellency, Dr. Christopher Ogbonnaya Onu, did not live to see and enjoy his desire and quest for social justice in the context of Igbo presidency.
“Only God knows why.”
Nwifuru appreciated the Governor of Abia State, Chief Alex Oti, for naming Abia Polytechnic, Aba after Onu as a way of immortalising him.
Others who spoke, including the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, stressed that Onu’s legacy in the Ministry will continue to endure over time.
In a homily, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of Owerri Archdiocese, urged politicians to be mindful of their actions while in leadership positions, adding that death is no respecter of persons.
Ugorji maintained that one’s love and empathy for others, integrity in service and pursuit of peace were seeds of remembrance deserving of a true leader.
He extolled Onu’s qualities as enunciated in the many tributes and prayed to God to grant his soul eternal rest.
Onu was a member of the ancient order of the Knights of Saint John International of the Roman Catholic church.
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