Former Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji, has described the late first Civilian Governor of the state, Ogbonnaya Onu as “a great mind and an irreplaceable asset to Ndigbo”.
Senator Orji who said he was devastated by the news of Onu’s demise, described the former Governor as a personal friend and a patriot.
The former Governor who spoke with Vanguard in Umuahia on Sunday, said Onu’s death was yet another heavy blow to the Igbo nation which was yet to recover from the death of some of her illustrious sons and daughters.
He said that Onu lived a quiet but impactful life, adding that he distinguished himself in politics as “a man who played politics without rancour.”
“He played politics without bitterness. He was not a noise maker. We did not expect he would die now. He was a gentleman to the core. He was an intellectual.
“Ndigbo have lost a great mind and an irreplaceable asset. We will miss him dearly, and we pray for a replacement of people like him and Ezeife ( Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Okwadike Igboukwu). I don’t know why they are dying in sequence. We pray God to give Ndigbo their replacements.”
Senator Orji who further described the late Onu as a great achiever, said his decision to name a structure after him was in recognition of his tremendous achievements as Abia’s former Governor.
“When I was Governor, I named one of the structures after him to recognize his great works, he stated.
Orji who condoled with members of Onu’s immediate family and the people of Ebonyi State, prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
He, also prayed for the eternal repose of the soul of the deceased. Late Dr Onu died last week at the age of 72.
