BY Kamsi Anayo, Awka
Late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, a former governor of Abia state and Minister of Science and Technology under President Muhammadu Buhari is to be buried on Nov. 8 in his home town, Uburu Ohaozara LGA, Ebonyi state
The late iconic leader, patriot, and Statesman died on April 11, 2024, after a brief ilness at the age of 73years.
The date for the burial was contained in a statement on Tuesday by the Burial Committee on behalf of the family and signed by a former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim and former Minister of Transportation, Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Chronicling the late Dr. Onu’s achievements, the committee stated that he was an engineer, author, and foremost Nigerian poitician who traversed the entire Nigerian poitical landscape, buiding bridges of peace, national unity, and patriotism.
“Dr. Onu was the first elected Civilian Governor of Abia State, and since then, he remained committed to the deepening and promotion of the ideals of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.
“In that wise, he became the first chairman of the Conference of Nigeria elected Governors, and the National Chairman of the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) in 2010.
“In 2013, Dr. Onu successfuly
led his party to the merger of All Nigerians Peoples Party (ANPP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change
(CPC), a bock of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and a bock of Peoples
democratic party (PDP), to form what is today known as the Al Progressives
Congress(APC).
“Dr. Onu’s remarkable attributes of honesty and dedication earned him further elevation to the office of Minister of Science and Technology and consequently a national honour of Commander of the Order ofNiger(CON).
“The nation is saddened by the loss of this iconic leader, patriot, and Statesman, and in order to give him a befitting farewell, the Burial Committee has linedup
the followingfunera rites:
4th November, 2024 Night of tributes at the Musa Yar’ Adua
Centre, Abuja -5pm
5th November, 2024 Requiem Mass at Church of Assumption, Asokoro, Abuja-5pm
6th November, 2024 Lying in State at Abia State Executive
Council Chambers -11am;
And day of tributes at International Conference Centre Umuahia at -1 pm
7th November, 2024 Lying in State at Ebony State Executive
Council Chambers I2pm;
And Requiem Mass/ Wake at Uburu (His Country Home)-5pm
8th November, 2024 Funeral Service and interment at Uburu
(His country Home), Ohaozara LGA, Ebonyi State –11 am.”
