FORMER MINISTER OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION, DR CHRISTOPHER OGBONNAYA ONU WAS A GREAT TRAILBLAZER AND SHINING LIGHT TO HIS PEOPLE. HE MARKED THRESHOLDS IN INTELLECTS, INTEGRITY, INDUSTRY, AND PASSION FOR EXCELLENCE

-SEN. UMAHI

BEING A TRIBUTE PRESENTED IN HONOUR OF HIS EXCELLENCY, LATE DR. CHRISTOPHER OGBONNAYA ONU, CON, BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF WORKS, HIS EXCELLENCY, ENGR. SEN. NWEZE DAVID UMAHI, CON, DURING A TRIBUTE NIGHT HELD AT YAR’ADUA CENTRE, DATED 4TH NOVEMBER 2024.

I received the sad news of the passing of my dear brother, His Excellency, Dr. Christopher Ogbonnaya Onu, CON with profound shock and a deep sense of loss. His call to eternal glory on the 11th day of April 2024 at the age of 72 years was received with grief and deep sorrow.

Dr. Christopher Onu was a great trailblazer and a leadership light in Uburu Community and Ebonyi State, where I hail from. He was not just a mentor to me, he was a kinsman whose positive marks inspired great leadership motivations to his people. He was charming in character and charismatic in leadership. While alive, he marked a threshold in intellects, integrity, industry, and passion for excellence in all his endeavours; he was a great illustrious son of Uburu Community who made an immeasurable impact in nation-building and service to humanity.

Though he departed at the prime of his leadership and service to humanity, we shall forever cherish the values he bequeathed and the gains of the service he rendered as pioneer elected Governor of Abia State, former National Chairman of the All People’s Party (APP), first Presidential flagbearer of APP,  former Honourable Minister of Science and technology and a host of other services he rendered to his community and the nation. Our consolation and fortitude are in the assurances that he lived the true purpose of life, which is service to God and humanity.

My deepest condolences go to his dear wife, children, the entire family of HRH, late Eze David Abba Onu, Eze Adu l of Uburu, and the government and people of Ebonyi State. May his soul rest in perfect peace, Amen.

As he makes his journey to immortality, I pray for God's eternal mercies upon him and divine fortitude and comfort to all of us who are impacted by this irreparable loss.

Thanks, and God bless you.