On Wednesday, the Senate urged the Federal Government to honor the late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, former governor of old Anambra State and immediate past Minister of Science, Innovations, and Technology, by erecting a national monument to recognize his significant contributions to the country’s growth and development.
During a session, the Red Chamber, following a motion presented by Senator Anthony Ani (APC Ebonyi South) on the passing of Dr. Onu, paid tribute to the late statesman. The Senate further resolved to dispatch a delegation to offer condolences to his family, the Federal Government, as well as the governments of Abia and Ebonyi states.
Raising the issue under a motion of urgent national importance, Senator Ani mourned the loss of Dr. Onu, who passed away on April 11, 2024, at an Abuja hospital after a brief illness.
He highlighted that Dr. Onu, born on December 1, 1951, had served as the first Executive Governor of old Abia State (now Abia and parts of Ebonyi States).
Senator Ani underscored that the deceased was a distinguished figure and academic luminary in Nigeria. Dr. Onu excelled in his education, achieving Distinctions in the West African School Certificate Examination, emerging as the top student at the College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu, graduating with a First Class Honors degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos, and obtaining a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, USA.
He also mentioned that Dr. Onu was the founding Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering and a pioneer faculty member at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Furthermore, Dr. Onu held the distinction of being the inaugural chairman of the Conference of elected Governors in Nigeria (now Governors’ Forum).
Senator Ani recalled that the late Dr. Onu had been the initial presidential candidate of the All People’s Party (APP) in the 1999 presidential election. Additionally, he served as the national chairman of the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) during the party’s merger with other political entities to establish the current ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Several senators, in their contributions, lauded the late Dr. Onu as a compassionate politician who had made significant sacrifices for the unity, progress, and development of the nation. Consequently, they endorsed the proposition for his commemoration by the government.
The Senate paid respect to the departed minister by observing a minute of silence as part of its other resolution.
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