The remains of the former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, will be buried in his hometown Uburu, Ebonyi State on November 8, 2024.
A programme by the Dr Ogbonnaya Onu Burial Committee signed by former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim and former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, said that the late Governor of old Abia State shows that on November 4, 2024 there will be a Night of Tributes at the Musa Yar’ Adua Centre, Abuja by 5pm; Requiem Mass at Church of Assumption, Asokoro, Abuja on November 5,, 2024 by 5pm and on November 6, 2024, a Lying in State at Abia State Executive
Council Chambers by 11am.
The programme states that there will be a day of tributes for the late statesman at International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia State at 1 pm same November 6, 2024; Lying in State at Ebony State Executive Council Chambers on November 7, 2024 at I2pm and a Requiem Mass/Wake at his country home Uburu by 5pm.
On November 8, 2024, there will be a funeral service for late Dr Ogbonnaya Onu and Interment at his Uburu country Home, Ohaozara LGA, Ebonyi State by 11 am
Dr Onu died on April 11, 2024 after a brief illness at the age of 72 years.
An engineer, author, and foremost Nigerian politician who traversed the entire Nigerian political landscape, building 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 successfully led his party to the merger of All Nigerians Peoples Party (ANPP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), a block of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and a block of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to form what is today known as the All 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 of Niger (CON).
According to the statement by the Burial Committee: “The nation is saddened by the loss of this iconic leader, patriot, and Statesman,” hence the programme was aimed at giving Dr Onu, “a befitting farewell.”