The former Governor of Abia State, Dr Christopher Ogbonnaya Onu, CON, was laid to rest on Friday in his hometown of Uburu, Ebonyi State.
Dignitaries in attendance included the host governor Francis Nwifuru, former governor and present minister of works Dave Umahi, Enugu state governor Peter Mbah, former governor of Anambra state Peter Obi, governor of Abia state Alex Otti among many others.
This was announced in a statement shared by the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, on Facebook on Friday. Governor Otti also revealed that the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, has been renamed Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, to honour the late governor’s legacy.
He wrote, “Today, we joined fellow Nigerians to bid farewell to Dr Christopher Ogbonnaya Onu, CON, former Governor of Abia State, at his hometown in Uburu, Ebonyi State. His passing in April left a significant void in our nation. My heartfelt condolences go out to Dr Onu’s family and the people of Ebonyi State
“Dr Onu’s legacy extends beyond his political achievements. As the first democratically elected Governor of Abia State, a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), his humility and grace were truly inspiring.
“In 1999, Dr Onu selflessly gave up his presidential ticket for the unity of Nigeria, demonstrating his deep love for the country. He lived by his convictions, always speaking the truth, regardless of the consequences.
“Despite his brief tenure as Governor of Abia, his contributions as a development-focused leader were significant. He established the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba; the Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu; and the National Ambassador newspaper. The Federal University of Agriculture, now Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU), was also established during his tenure. These institutions, spread across the three senatorial districts of the state, highlight Dr Onu’s strategic vision for education and economic growth.
“In honour of his contributions, we have renamed the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, to Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba. Dr Onu’s story is a testament to the power of dreams and determination. We will continue to honour his memory by advancing his legacy and values with the same passion and integrity he exemplified. May his soul rest in peace.”
