Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party (LP), has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu, considering it a significant loss for Nigeria.
Obi reminisced about Onu’s character, describing him as a gentle and unbiased Nigerian throughout his life. The former governor of Anambra State highlighted Onu’s commitment to justice and his courageous advocacy for fairness and effective governance.
Posting on X, Obi wrote: “It is with deep sadness that I received the reports of the death of my dear elder brother; the first civilian governor of Abia State and former minister of science, technology and innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.
“Dr Onu was a gentleman par excellence, a patriotic and detribalised Nigerian who served the nation in different capacities. His contributions to our educational growth as a lecturer and author remain commendable.
“Dr Onu was a leader who stood for peace and progress of the nation. He pursued justice and courageously stood up for equity and good governance. He was committed to the development of the nation.
“As one who understood the critical need to move our nation from consumption to production, he pursued many initiatives to boost local production for the development of the nation.
“His death is, undoubtedly, a huge loss to the nation. May God console his family, and all of us who mourn him, and grant us the fortitude to bear his sad irreplaceable loss. May God grant him eternal rest. -PO”