A former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu, is dead.
The former minister died in an Abuja hospital on Thursday during a brief illness.
He was minister under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration between 2015 and 2022.
He was the first civilian governor of Abia State.
He was 72.
The governor governor contested for the presidential flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 general election but lost to President Bola Tinubu.
The Senate Committee Chairman on Privatisation Orji Ozu Kalu has expressed sympathy over Mr Onu’s demise.
He acknowledged Onu’s invaluable contributions to nation building, even as he urged his family to be consoled, as their late patriarch lived a purposeful life.
“I urge the deceased’s children and loved ones to sustain his worthy legacies, as his death is a huge loss to Ndigbo and Nigeria in general.
“The late statesman was a consummate politician and selfless philanthropist who served meritoriously in various capacities in the public sector,’ he said.
