According to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, it was with great shock that it learned of the passing of yet another Igbo Titan, 72-year-old Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, CON, a visionary, erudite scholar, astute politician, the first governor of Old Abia State, a former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a gentleman above all.
Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, expressed his sadness after hearing the tragic news in a statement released by the organization’s spokesperson, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia.
The Igbo leader expressed his sorrow over the passing of several prominent Igbo dignitaries in quick succession: Professor George Obiozor, Professor Joe Irukwu, Elder Dr. U. K. Kalu, Professor Ben Nwabueze, Professor Sylvanus Ebigwei, Professor Chike Edozien, Professor Herbert Wigwe, Professor Chukwuemeka Ezeife, and, most recently, Professor Ogbonnaya Onu. The majority of these individuals were part of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Presidential Advisory Council.
The Ohananeze Leader further recalled, with newfound integrity, how Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu showed astounding and amazing magnanimity in 1999 when he turned over his All Peoples Party (APP) presidential ticket to Chief Olu Falae, the Alliance for Democracy AD’s presidential candidate. Most importantly, Ogbonnaya Onu was one of the most morally upright Nigerians. He was one of the few who refused to give in to the allure and alluring perks of the ruling party, opting instead to stay in the opposition during the whole 16-year Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) rule.
“Ogbonnaya Onu was an Igbo quintessence who contested the 2023 presidential election on the basis of his impressive credentials, disruptive intellect, visionary acumen, track record of accomplishments, transformative philosophy, equity and unalloyed patriotism.
“He was a moral edifice who rendered sterling services to the country in several capacities and left with neither tarnish nor blemish. Onu was indeed exemplary.
“While we pray to the Almighty to grant the soul of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu an eternal rest in his bosom, we urge the immediate family and indeed the government and the good people of Ebonyi State to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude. He said
