The Abia State Government has rebranded the Abia State Polytechnic in Aba in honour of the first Executive Governor of Abia State, the late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu. This announcement was made by the state’s governor, Alex Otti, during an interdenominational church service in Umuahia, the state capital, to celebrate the life of the departed statesman.
The polytechnic was established in 1992, during Onu’s tenure as governor, and will now be known as the Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba.
In his speech, Otti highlighted Onu’s legacy, stating that his accomplishments could not be overshadowed by his death. He revealed that Onu was a visionary leader who believed in building institutions that nurture and equip young people with the skills needed to succeed in various fields, such as technology, science, education, and agriculture.
Otti commended Onu for his initiatives, including abolishing the indigene/non-indigene dichotomy in the state’s civil service, making it possible for anyone with the right skills to work in the state, regardless of their background. This philosophy, Otti explained, has been adopted by his administration, making the civil service more competitive.
Otti also praised Onu’s achievements as the pioneer chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Elected Governors, where he provided leadership and unity among governors, helping to drive democracy, good governance, and national development.
Otti described Onu as a true patriot, who saw beyond the narrow prism of ethnicity and religion, and considered every Nigerian a citizen with the right to pursue their economic and social aspirations, unrestricted by individual or institutional biases.
Otti expressed his deepest condolences to Onu’s family, noting that even though he was no longer with them, his legacy would live on through the rebranded polytechnic.
