May 06, (THEWILL) – The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has formally declared his interest to join the long list of presidential aspirants under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The minister, who announced his presidential ambition on Friday, at the NUJ International Press Centre in Abuja.
The event had dignitaries, including party faithfuls, friends, associates and kinsmen.
Onu said he deliberately delayed his announcement to allow Nigerians return from the festivities, considering the importance of his ambition.
An accomplished Engineer, Administrator, Author and First Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr Onu, obtained his professional qualifications in Chemical Engineering at the University of Lagos, Nigeria (B.Sc. 1st Class) and University of California, Berkeley, USA.
He undertook extensive research on coal liquefaction and production of synthetic fuels under mild conditions – demonstrating that it was possible under relatively mild conditions to produce synthetic fuels comparable with crude oil.
Dr Onu was a lecturer in the University of Port Harcourt, Department of Chemical Engineering, where he later became the pioneer Head.
He subsequently served as Acting Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and elected a Member of the Governing Council of the University.
In 1991, he contested the position of Governor of the old Abia State, and won to become the first Executive Governor of the State.
He was also the first Chairman, Conference of Nigerian elected Governors. Sadly, his and his colleagues’ tenures were truncated by the then Military Government.
During this short tenure, he successfully abolished the State-of-Origin Syndrome in Abia State, founded the Abia State Polytechnic at Aba and established the College of Technical Education in Arochukwu, the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State and National Ambassador Newspapers, which then won several awards as the best State-owned Newspaper.
He also commenced the processes for the establishment of a Technology Village and introducing computers into selected public schools.
A bridge-builder and advocate of consensus, Dr Onu was the Presidential flag-bearer for the All Peoples Party (APP) in 1999, but stepped down for Dr Olu Falae, to pave way for an all-Southwest presidential race power arrangement, to douse tension around the death of chief MKO Abiola.
He, however, remained in the APP, where he emerged the party’s national chairman in 2010.
An exceptional Politician, it is noteworthy that Dr Ogbonnaya Onu remained in opposition purely out of principle and never moved from one political party to another, until he successfully led his party into a merger with some others, to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A two-term Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Onu has led concerted efforts to reposition the Ministry’s research institutes and parastatals to enable them effectively fulfil their statutory mandates.
He began the annual National Science & Technology Week in 2017 to showcase inventors and inventions as well as signed an MOU with some international companies to export indigenous technologies and food.
He also initiated the 774 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award to encourage and develop the interest of Nigerian youths in science, technology and innovation (STI).
Dr Ogbonnaya Onu is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers & Academy of Engineering. He is also a Certified Member of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria.
Onu holds six patents and has written twelve books on different subject areas including philosophy, poetry, politics, developmental studies, biography, science and technology.
He is married to Dr (Mrs) Chinyere Onu with children and grandchildren.
However, Dr Onu’s formal declaration has added to the list of aspirants bidding for the APC presidential ticket.
Among the aspirants, are: Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Bola Ahmed Tinubu, formergovernorofLagos state; Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation and Sen. Rochas Okorocha.
Others are Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi; Dr Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Productivity; Chukwuemeka Nwajuba, the Minister of State for Education; Gov. David Umuahi of Ebonyi; Pastor Tunde Bakare and Sen. Ken Nnamani.
Others still are Ekiti governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; former APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole; Jigawa State governor, Mohammed Badaru; Sen. Ibikunle Amosun (APC-Ogun Central) and former two-term governor of Ogun.
The APC special presidential primary convention is scheduled to hold from Monday, May 30 to Wednesday, June 1.
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