The burial committee for former Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu has announced that he will be buried on November 8, 2024, in his Uburu country home in Ohaozara local government area of Ebonyi State.
The committee, jointly signed by Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and Chief Rotimi Amaechi, stated that the burial will be preceded by a series of events.
On November 4, a night of tributes will be held at the Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, followed by a Requiem Mass at Church of Assumption, Asokoro, Abuja on November 5.
On November 6, there will be a lying-in-state at Abia State Executive Council Chambers, and a day of tributes at International Conference Centre, Umuahia.
The next day, November 7, a lying-in-state will be held at Ebonyi State Executive Council Chambers, followed by a Requiem Mass/Wake at Uburu.
The statement described Dr Onu as “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 remained committed to the deepening and promotion of the ideals of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.
He was also the first chairman of the Conference of Nigeria elected Governors and the National Chairman of the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) in 2010.
Dr Onu successfully led his party to the merger of several parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013.
The statement said, “Dr. Onu’s remarkable attributes of honesty and dedication earned him further elevation as the Minister of Science and Technology and consequently a national honour of Commander of the Order of Niger (CON).”