Igbo Presidency: Onu died seeking for justice in Nigeria, Nwifuru laments at funeral

The body of the pioneer democratically elected Governor of old Abia State, Dr. Christopher Ogbonnaya Onu has been laid to rest in his home town, Amata Uburu in Ohaozara local government area of Ebonyi state.

 

The funeral service was held Friday at the All Saints Catholic Church, Uburu.

 

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 (APC), Alhaji Umar Ganduje.

 

In President Bola Tinubu’s funeral oration delivered by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, the President 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.

 

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 Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state 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.

 

Governor Nwifuru however, regretted with 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 immortalizing 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 Owerre Archdiocese, urged politicians to be mindful of their actions while in leadership positions, adding that death is no respecter of persons.

 

He 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 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.