Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has announced the renaming of Abia State Polytechnic to Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic in honour of Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, SAVANNAH NEWSNOW REPORTS.
Otti made this declaration during an inter-denominational service at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia, where he paid tribute to Onu, the first elected civilian governor of old Abia State.
The governor praised Onu as a distinguished statesman and pioneer, highlighting his numerous political achievements, including his roles as a former minister, National Chairman of the All Nigerian Peoples Party, and a founding member of the All Progressives Congress.
He also commended Onu for his selfless act of relinquishing the presidential ticket of the All Peoples Party in 1999 for the sake of national unity.
“Dr Onu did not only lay the foundation for the dynamic and structured development of all parts of the state, he set up major administrative and service-delivery structures that are still functioning till today.
“Dr Ogbonnaya Onu’s administrative genius inspired the setting up of the Abia State Polytechnic Aba, the Abia State College of Education (Technical) Arochukwu, and the National Ambassador Newspaper.
“It is also important to recall that it was under Governor Onu that the Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, now Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU), was established.
“It is on this note distinguished ladies and gentlemen that we as a State have decided to immortalize him by renaming the Abia State Polytechnic Aba after him.
“The Polytechnic will henceforth, be known as as Dr Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba,” Otti said.
