Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, a former Governor of Abia State and Nigeria’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, passed away on Thursday morning at an Abuja hospital at the age of 72.
According to a source close to his family in Ebonyi State, where he hailed from, Onu had been battling illness for some time, and plans were underway to fly him abroad for medical treatment after the Sallah break. However, he succumbed to his illness before those plans could materialize.
Onu’s political journey began after working as a teacher and lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt. He ventured into politics as an aspirant for a senatorial seat in the old Imo State under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
He later became the first civilian governor of Abia State, assuming office in January 1992 after winning the gubernatorial election under the platform of the National Republican Convention.
During his tenure as governor, Onu served as the inaugural chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Elected Governors, demonstrating his leadership within the Nigerian political landscape.
He also sought higher office, contesting for the presidency in 1999 under the banner of the All People’s Party, though he eventually relinquished his candidacy to Olu Falae after his party merged with the Alliance for Democracy.
Onu’s political affiliations evolved over time, including serving as the national chairman of the All Nigerian People’s Party before its merger with other parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013.
Subsequently, he was appointed Minister of Science and Technology by President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2015. However, Onu resigned from his ministerial position in 2022.
Upon hearing the news of his passing, friends and relatives gathered at his Abuja residence to offer their condolences to his family, reflecting the impact of his life and career on those who knew him.
