Former Nigerian minister dies in Abuja

A former Nigerian minister of science, technology, and innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu is dead.

Onu who was the first civilian governor of Abia State died at the age of 72 at a hospital in Abuja after a brief illness.

He commenced his political journey by vying for a senatorial position in the former Imo State with the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

Later, he contested and won the Governorship of Abia State in 1991 under the National Republican Convention.

Serving as the first executive governor, he also chaired the Conference of Nigerian elected governors.

In 1999, he was the presidential candidate for the All People’s Party but deferred to Olu Falae after a party merger with the Alliance for Democracy.

He later chaired the All Nigerian People’s Party and was pivotal in the merger that formed the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013.

He was appointed as Minister of Science and Technology by President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2015 and was sworn in again on August 21, 2019.

He is survived by his wife and children.