Ogbonnaya Onu Biography (Politics, Career, Achievements)| Naijabiography Media

Ogbonnaya Onu is a fine statesman, brilliant scholar, outstanding intellectual, accomplished administrator, prolific author and poet, a man of great ideas and inventions as well as a distinguished man of exceptional principle and exemplary character. He is a resolute believer in Nigeria’s unity as an instrument for national integration and development.

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Ogbonnaya Onu Biography

Ogbonnaya Onu was born on the 1st of December 1951, to the family of His Royal Highness, Late Eze David Aba Onu/ Eze Adu of Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. He is a Nigerian politician, author and engineer. He was the first civilian governor of Abia state and the past and current minister of Science and Technology, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Education

He started his education at Izzi High School in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital. Here, he obtained grade one with distinction in his West African School Certificate Examination. He sat for the High School Examination at College of Immaculate Conception (C.I.C) Enugu, graduating as the overall best student. He proceeded to the University of Lagos and graduated with a first class degree in Chemical Engineering in 1976. He went for his doctoral studies at the University of California, Berkeley and obtained a PhD in Chemical engineering in 1980, without passing through a Masters degree, where he did extensive work on coal liquefaction and production of synthetic fuels under mild conditions.

Career

After his graduation from the University of Lagos, Ogbonnaya Onu became a teacher at St. Augustine’s Seminary, Ezzamgbo, Ebonyi State. After the completion of his doctoral studies at the University of California, Berkeley, Dr. Onu became a lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Port Harcourt where he offered leadership as he nurtured from scratch of the establishment of the department, and later became the pioneer head of the Department. He also served as the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and was also elected by Senate as a Member of the Governing Council of the University.

Politics

Ogbonnaya Onu started his political Career as an aspirant for a senatorial seat in the old Imo State on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). He contested for the position of Governor of Abia State in 1991 under the umbrella of the National Republican Convention and won. He was sworn in as the first Executive Governor of the State in January 1992. During his administration, he was elected as the First Governor of the Old Abia State. He ran an open and transparent administration. He carried out many reforms, promoted national unity, improved the security of lives and property, established many educational institutions, promoted the use of science and technology for development, instituted the Free Maternal Health Care Programme which drastically reduced the death of poor pregnant women at childbirth, among many other things.

He was the first Chairman, Conference of Nigerian elected Governors. In 1999, he was the Presidential flag bearer for the All People’s Party but relinquished the position to Chief Olu Falae after a merger of his party with the Alliance for Democracy who lost to Olusegun Obasanjo of the PDP. He became the National Party Chairman of the All Nigerian People’s Party 2010. In 2013, he his party (ANPP) successfully merged with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Democratic People’s Party (DPP) and some members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to form the All Progressives Congress (APC). In November 2015, he was appointed Minister of Science and Technology by President Muhammadu Buhari. On November 11, 2015, Dr. Onu was sworn into office as the Nigerian Minister of Science and Technology. He is working hard to promote research and innovation as well as the use of science and technology for nation building.

On the 21st of August 2019, He was sworn in again as Minister of Science and Technology by President Muhammadu Buhari

Personal life

He is married to Dr. Mrs. Chinyere Onu and blessed with children and grandchildGhan

Awards

• Dr. Onu is a certified member of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria

• A fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering,

• A fellow of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers.

• He is the 2004 Man of the Year of the reputable American Biographical Institute.

• He was honoured with the Governor of the Year in 1992 award and also the Star Governor in 1993 Award.

• He is a recipient of the Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award 2011/2012 by the West African Students Union Parliament

• University of Lagos Golden Jubilee Distinguished Alumni Award

• A fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers

• Dr. Onu is an inventor and holds six patents registered in Nigeria.

• He is an author with many books in technology, philosophy, biography and poetry.

• He is highly recognised in engineering practice as a Fellow of the Niger

• Dr. Onu is an inventor and holds six patents registered in Nigeria.

• He is an author with many books in technology, philosophy, biography and poetry.

• He is a member of the ancient and noble order of the Knights of St. John International (KSJ).

Achievements

• He began the National Science and Technology Week which held its first edition on the 13th to 17 April 2017 in Abuja and then in March 2018 to showcase inventors and inventions.

• He signed a Memorandum of Undertaking (MOU) with three international companies to export indigenous technologies and food.

• He also signed an agreement with NASCO to kick off commercial production of High Nutrient Density biscuits.

• In 2016, he initiated a programme tagged “774 YOUNG NIGERIAN SCIENTISTS PRESIDENTIAL award (774-YONSPA)” aimed at encouraging and developing the interest of Nigerian youth in science, technology, and innovation (STI).

Books written

He is the author of many books, notably: “Technology and National Development”, “Building a Modern Nigeria” and “A Footprint: Memoirs of a Chief Servant”.

Citizenship

He is an honorary citizen of many cities in the world, in addition to the State of Texas in the United States of America.

Chieftaincy

• Dr. Onu also holds many traditional chieftaincy titles, notably: Ikeoha Uburu, Dike-Eji-Eme-Udo of Eastern States, Akajiugo Nnewi, Ogbuagu Abiriba, Ugochinyere Umuahia, Ozurumba Orlu, Odiukonamba Eziudo Mbaise, Dikeora Abagana, Ikemba Afikpo.

• He is also the Togbe Kwami Vidza of Kpando District, Ghana.