A former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Don Etiebet, CON, has mourned Dr Ogbonnaya Onu who passed on Thursday morning in Abuja.
Etiebet, in a statement sent to THE CONCLAVE, described the late Onu as “a gentleman, softspoken, amiable, always friendly and respecting.
“Dr Ogbonnaya Onu was the epitome of humility, simplicity and dedication to service to humanity, who sacrificed his academic brilliance and career on the altar of politics for the renaissance of Nigeria.
“He was a sworn Nigerian nationalist who believed in one Nigeria and her unity. To him, a bigger Nigeria is better than a smaller Nigeria.
“His attempts to become the president of Nigeria in two instances were predicated on those beliefs and on his great desire for the development of indigenous expertise for the production of our goods and services for local consumption and export.
“He demonstrated this trait while being the first governor of the newly created Abia State, though short-lived and in his ministry of Science and Technology.
“Educated in the USA, we were very good professional friends because of our beliefs in indigenous technology development to help grow Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.
“As an engineer, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu was innovative, inventive, result- oriented, and a stickler for detail.
“He always appeared overwhelmed by the problems of Nigeria, which made him look quiet and moody most of the time.
“Nigeria has lost a gem, and I have lost a great personal and professional friend.
“May the gentle soul of this gentleman gently rest in peace.”
Chief Don Etiebet, CON.
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