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Tag: Onu

  • Ohakim mourns former minister Onu

    Ohakim mourns former minister Onu

    The former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, has expressed grief over the passing of the former governor of Abia State and ex-minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu.

    Ohakim described Onu as a highly patriotic Nigerian and academic par excellence in a statement he personally signed on Sunday, April 14, and made available to The Nation in Owerri.

    He said: “It is with profound grief that I join millions of other Nigerians to mourn my brother, a highly patriotic and academic peer, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu. The news of Dr. Onu’s passing came to me as a big shock. Dr. Onu was a fine gentleman, calm, unassuming, and truly lived by the ethos of ‘politics without bitterness.

    “Nigeria has lost a rare gem whose maturity, brilliance, and wealth of experience in national service are highly needed during this crucial period of our collective existence. We shall miss him, but we find solace in the knowledge that Dr. Onu lived a worthy and exemplary life. We owe his memory nothing less than to strive to live up to those ideals which he cherished and lived for.”

  • UPDATED: First Old Abia Civilian Gov Onu dies

    UPDATED: First Old Abia Civilian Gov Onu dies

    The first old Abia Civilian Governor Ogbonnaya Onu is dead. 

    The former Minister of Science and Technology in the immediate past administration died in an Abuja hospital.

    He hailed from Ụbụrụ in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    The family confirmed his demise in a statement by one Uzoma Onu. It said Onu died at 73 in the early hours of Tuesday. 

    The statement reads: ” In total submission to the will of the Almighty God, the family of His Royal Highness, Late Eze David Aba Onu, Eze Adu of Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State announces the death of our distinguished son, His Excellency, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu who died earlier today, the 11th day of April, 2024, at the age of 73 years.

    Read Also: Onu’s death as huge loss to Ndi Igbo, Nigeria, says Reps deputy speaker

    “He was the former National Chairman/National Leader of defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). Also, he initiated and facilitated discussions that finally resulted in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), that has been the ruling Political Party in the country since May 29, 2015”

    “Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, was the former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, a position he held for seven years having been re-appointed in the second tenure of President Muhammadu Buahri”

    “He resigned as Minister and contested for the presidential primaries of the APC.

    “A fine statesman, party leader, political strategist, brilliant scholar, outstanding intellectual, public speaker, teacher, lecturer, inventor, researcher, consultant, engineer, youth mobilizer, accomplished administrator, prolific author and poet, a man of great ideas as well as a distinguished man of exceptional principle, integrity, discipline and exemplary character.

    “Our hearts are filled with sorrow. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him for a long time to come.”

    Uzoma Ọnụ said burial arrangements will be communicated by the family in due time. 

  • Onu’s death as huge loss to Ndi Igbo, Nigeria, says Reps deputy speaker

    Onu’s death as huge loss to Ndi Igbo, Nigeria, says Reps deputy speaker

    Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu said on Thursday, April 11, that the death of first civilian governor of Old Abia state, Ogbonnaya Onu, was a great loss to the southeast in particular and the Nigerian nation in general. 

    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the Deputy Speaker expressed shock and sadness over the demise of former Minister of Science and Technology. 

    Kalu said Onu who also served as Minister of Science and Technology in the President Muhammadu Buhari administration epitomized humility, patience, thoroughness, gentility and hardwork.

    He recalled Onu’s time as the first democratically elected governor of Abia, saying that he championed people-oriented policies that elevated the status of the state while the regime lasted. 

    Kalu said as a minister, Onu was zealous about the scientific growth and the technological development of the country. 

    While acknowledging the patriotic spirit, intellectual, technological and innovative prowess of the late Onu, Kalu said the death of the first-class scholar at a time his mentorship is needed most is disheartening.

    Read Also: Labour minister Onyejeocha mourns former Abia Gov Onu

    The Deputy Speaker said no one can question the Will of God and enjoined Onu’s family, professional colleagues and political allies to take solace in the fact that he left a legacy of honesty and decency and also contributed his quota to the development of the nation. 

    The Deputy Speaker prayed God to grant Onu’s soul eternal rest.

  • Labour minister Onyejeocha mourns former Abia Gov Onu

    Labour minister Onyejeocha mourns former Abia Gov Onu

    The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, on Thursday, April 10, expressed grief over the passing of former Abia state governor, Ogbannaya Onu.

    Onyejeocha, in a statement, said she was shocked by the news and called Dr. Onu’s death a huge loss to the entire South East, Ebonyi state and Nigeria as a whole.

    According to reports, Onu, a former governor of Abia State, died after a brief illness in an undisclosed hospital.

    He was 72.

    He hailed from Ụbụrụ in the Ohaozara local government area of Ebonyi state.

    She praised Onu, who served as Minister of Science and Technology under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 until 2022. 

    The minister said the late Onu was a role model, peacemaker, and a unifying figure who prioritised the nation’s interests. 

    The statement said: “His contributions to Nigeria’s development would be well-remembered.

    “He was a highly respected politician, author, and engineer. He left behind a lasting legacy. The nation owes him a great debt of gratitude for his contributions in both the public and private sectors throughout his life.

    The Minister offered her condolences to Dr. Onu’s family and friends. 

    She added: “I want to express my deepest sympathies to his family and the good people of Abia. I pray that his family finds the strength to bear this loss.

    Read Also: Barau mourns ex-Abia Gov, Ogbonnaya Onu

    “During this difficult time, I join all well-meaning Nigerians in praying for the family.

    “May God grant his soul eternal rest, in Jesus’ name – Amen.”

  • Nwifuru, Umahi, Anyim, Onu, DSS spokesperson get awards at Ebonyi carnival

    Nwifuru, Umahi, Anyim, Onu, DSS spokesperson get awards at Ebonyi carnival

    Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, Minister of Works David Umahi and former Senate President Anyim Pius were among the 17 dignitaries, sons and daughters of Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency, who were honoured for their services to the state and country.

    Others include former Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, spokesperson for Department of State Security (DSS), Dr. Peter Afunanya, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ifeanyi Odii.

    They were honoured yesterday during the maiden Ohanivo Cultural Carnival of the federal constituency, held at Egunkwor Central School.

    The event was sponsored by the member representing the constituency, Dr. Nkemkanma Kama.

    While Nwifuru received Youths Oriented Leadership Award, Umahi was given Iconic Leadership Award.

    Anyim got Leadership Excellence Award, while Onu went home with Selfless Leadership Award.

    Afunanya, who hails from the constituency, received an award for outstanding performance.

    Read Also; Nollywood veteran Olofa Ina dies 

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state in 2023 general election, Chukwuma Odii, received Outstanding Humanitarian Award.

    A popular business mogul in the state, Dr. Gideon Osi, was given Illustrious Service Award.

    A business woman and philanthropist, Rosemary Nwakego  Emmanuel, was given Industrious Woman of the Year Award.

    Addressing the constituents, Kama, who described culture as lifeblood of any society, said the aim of staging the event was to promote peace and unity in the community.

    “Culture is said to be the lifeblood of any thriving society, and it’s best expressed in the way we tell our stories, celebrate and entertain ourselves. It helps us remember the past and cast imagination on the future. Our cultural expression helps define who we are, and helps the world see us through our own eyes.

    “One of my primary focuses as your representative is to promote peace and unity among ourselves. Ohanivo Cultural Carnival, designed to showcase our rich and diverse cultural heritage, is one of the means of promoting unity and peaceful coexistence at Ohaozara/Onicha/lvo Federal Constituency and Ebonyi State.

    “Undoubtedly, no meaningful and measurable growth and progress can be achieved in the midst of crisis, chaos, bickering and disunity.

    “As a people, we’ve come a long way. From 1976 through 1996, we existed as one indivisible Ohaozara Local Government (now referred to as Old Ohaozara).The 1996 political expansion that split us into Ohaozara, Onicha and lvo local governments couldn’t divide us as it brought us into the same Ohaozara/Onicha/lvo Federal Constituency and we’ve continued to coexist peacefully.

    “Therefore, there’s now the need to make a unique definition of who we are through our culture, our way of life and tell our stories in our own unique way. This is what this carnival stands for and promotes.

    “This carnival is expected to serve as a unifying symbol for our people, a reminder that we’re one indivisible people,” he said.

  • Onu donates science kits to award-winning school

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, yesterday donated science kits to Christ the King College (CKC), Odolewu, near Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

    Also, Hallmarks of Labour Foundation (HLF) donated 10 desktop computers to the school.

    The minister made the donation when the school received the Young Achievers Award as Best Performing School in last year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) during the 22nd anniversary and this year’s role model awards of Hallmarks of Labour Foundation (HLF) at Oriental Hotel in Lagos.

    The minister, who was also the special guest of honour, said the donation was in recognition of the school’s excellent performance in the examination, adding that it would encourage them.

    He said: “The feat achieved by these pupils is commendable and this is what we need in this country. Other pupils should emulate them and work harder.

    “We are here to celebrate 22 years of remarkable achievements by HLF. I congratulate the awardees and the Executive Secretary of HLF, Patricia Otuedon-Arawore, for the meaningful work she is doing in this nation.”

    The chairman on the occasion, Prof Ibrahim Gbadamosi, thanked HLF’s Executive Secretary for establishing the foundation and sustaining it over the years.

    He said the awards were meant to celebrate Nigeria, humanity and commitment to a worthy cause.

    Otuedon-Arawore said the foundation set out to identify Nigerians, Africans and people of the Black race who have achieved successes through hard work, honesty and integrity in their fields of endeavour.

    She added: “Our aim is to use all characteristics of the role models to demonstrate to Nigerians that success through genuine labour is rewarding and fulfilling.

    “We also nurture positive attitude among Nigerians, especially the youths, and we encourage them to reject fraud, dishonesty and greed as means to success. We help to make Nigeria a descent society that attracts a pride of place in the country of nations.”

    Other awardees are: Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, Prof Joy Ogwu, Chief Dr Onikepo Akande, Prof Shehu Galadanci, Emeritus Prof Ayodeji Banjo, Prof Uche Amazigo and Prof A. B. O. O. Oyediran.

  • Enhanced innovations to attract foreign investment, says Onu

    Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has said enhanced innovations will attract foreign investment.

    He said a friendly intellectual Property Right environment would enhance innovation activities and attract Foreign Direct Investment.

    Speaking at the 2018 edition of the African Day for Technology and Intellectual property held in Abuja, Onu said the Federal Government is to boost a friendly Intellectual Property Right (IPR) environment.

    Head, Press and Public Relations in the ministry,  AbdulGaniyu Aminu, in a  statement quoted the minister as saying that “this is part of efforts to ensure a knowledge-based and innovation- driven economy.

    He said: “As part of efforts to enable a knowledge- based and innovation-driven economy, the Federal Government is to boost a friendly Intellectual Property Right (IPR) environment.

    “The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, disclosed this at the 2018 edition of the African Day for Technology and Intellectual   Property   held at the weekend in Abuja.

    “A friendly intellectual Property Right environment will enhance innovation activities and attract Foreign Direct Investment. That technology transfer and acquisition will follow as a matter of course.

  • Fed Govt to save N3tr on raw materials, says Onu

    The Federal Government would save N3 trillion in foreign exchange on raw materials in five years, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has  said.

    Dr. Onu, who spoke in Abuja at the First National Consultative Forum for Regulatory Establishment in Nigeria, said the successful implementation of the National Strategy for Competiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development in Nigeria will save the country this amount and yield immense benefits, ensuring irreversible indigenous industrialisation process.

    He said the measure will increase higher productivity and enhance value addition, pointing out that the strategy  will generate quality employment, alleviate poverty and  create prosperity.

    According to a statement  by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Science and Technology, Andulganiyu Aminu,  Onu called for collective effort of the stakeholders with commitment through effective collaboration, cooperation and coordination of various complementary roles for the common goal of driving Nigeria to a higher ranking of global competiveness

    He said: “My expectation is for our regulatory establishments to apply appropriate conformity assessment measures in ensuring that specific technical requirement of products, services and systems meet intentional standard,” saying “it is important to ensure, at all times, that certification and accreditation are issued after due diligence, based on professional ethics and values.

    “This is why regulatory bodies all over world, help nations achieve global competiveness, especially, in building trust for world trade in merchandise and services.”

    He stressed the need for effective coordination of all regulatory bodies in Nigeria and ensure that balance is maintained between the needs of both business and the people.

    Meanwhile, the Federal Government is proposing a new National Research and Innovation Fund Bill that would provide financial support for innovation and research.

    Onu stated this while addressing  participants at the North- West  sensitization  programme  on  National Science , Technology and Innovation Road Map ( NSTIR)  and the Executive Order 5 held in Kaduna over the weekend.

    He said the administration is working tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria becomes a knowledge – based economy by the year 2030 in line with the provisions of the the federal government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan 2017 -2020 ( ERGP) .

    He said the Road Map was crafted with a view to attaining a long- time lifespan to take Nigeria to the Promised Land, adding that the Executive Order 5 would go a long way in promoting both local and foreign investment in the country as well as create employment, while also stimulating the economy.

    Onu said: “The Order will also guarantee home- grown capability and capacity to maintain, redesign, reinforce, domesticate and duplicate any infrastructure that is built in Nigeria for self – reliance and development. “

    He said with this development, Nigerian innovators and investors in the diaspora, will be encouraged to come home, stating that the era of brain drain was over.

     

  • FG to drive economic development with Executive Order No 5 — Onu

    The Federal Government yesterday said that it was determined to re-position the nation’s economy through the Presidential Executive Order No.5.

    Dr Ogbonnaya Onu made the assertion in Abuja in an address at the “North Central Dialogue on the Presidential Executive Order No.5”.

    The Federal Republic of Nigeria official gazette Presidential Executive Order No.5 is for Planning and Execution of Projects, Promotion of Nigeria Content in contracts, Science, Engineering and Technology.

    Onu said that the implementation of Executive Order 5 towards technology-driven would lead to global competitiveness.

    According to him, the order 5 is one of the series of such economy-dedicated orders of the present administration.

    “The Executive Order No. 5 is the instrument which the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has deployed to redirect economy from being resource-based to new sustainable and inclusive path, as well as being a knowledge and innovation-driven economy.

    “It is expected that in the next 10 to 20 years, Nigerian companies will be competing with the very best in other parts of the world for projects and contracts, in international tenders.

    “The government will, henceforth, place superior emphasis on the use of indigenous professionals and firms, in the design and execution of projects involving national security,” he said.

    Read also: NCC: operators risk losing out to digitalisation

    According to him, foreign experts will only be engaged on condition that such expertise is not available in Nigeria.

    Onu noted that if the foreign experts were engaged, Nigerian professionals would be attached to understudy them.

    “The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, under the Economy Recovery Growth Plan (2017-2020), will promote the ‘Made in Nigeria’ goods.

    “The ministry will harness science, technology and Innovation (STI) to drive national competitiveness, productivity and economic activities in all sectors,” the minister said.

    Mr Bitrus Nabasu, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said on the occasion that government would establish centres for acquisition of technology in the six geopolitical zones of the country .

    He noted that the centre would also promote technology utilisation, reduce poverty and make Nigeria to be self-reliant in producing and utilising goods produced locally.

    Nabasu said that the executive order would increase the quantum of value created in Nigerian economy.

    “The government recognises entrenching STI in everyday life as key to achieve nation’s development goals across all sectors of the economy, particularly in STI Strategy 2024 and 2063, SDG 2030 and Vision 20: 2020,” Nabasu said.

  • FG dolls out N43m to 121 inventors

    The Federal Government has released N43.5 million as grant awards to 121 technological inventors in the country.

    The grant was awarded to beneficiaries of 2017 Presidential Standing Committee on Inventions and Innovations (PSCII).

    Selected inventors and innovators were grouped into three groups – category one with 24 awardees were handed N500,000 each, category two with 54 recipients received N300,000-N400,000 each, while category three with 43 people received between N200,000 and N250,000 each.

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who presented the funds to the beneficiaries, encouraged them to obtain patent rights as a means of protecting their intellectual property.

    He said the grant is important in creating entrepreneurs, who in turn would create new jobs through the commercialization of their inventions and innovations.

    He said: “This grant may not be all that you need to improve on your inventions and innovations, but it is an important recognition of your creativity, hard work and commitment to the realization of a dream that you have lived with for a long time.

    “It is important that your intellectual property is protected. You need this so that venture capitalists can help you in commercializing your inventions and innovations. I encourage you to ensure that you obtain patents as a means of protecting your intellectual property.”