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Onu: Death has robbed Nigeria of committed patriot, statesman – Tinubu

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Onu: Death has robbed Nigeria of committed patriot, statesman – Tinubu
Ogbonnaya Onu
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President Bola Tinubu said on Friday that the passing of Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, former Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation had cost Nigeria a committed patriot and elder statesman.

Tinubu said this at Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi during the burial ceremony of the deceased who passed away at the age of 72 years.

The President described the late Onu as a perfect gentleman who staunchly believed in the match toward achieving Nigeria’s true destiny as a great nation.

“Onu was a true progressive and a quintessential politician who believed in the ideals of the progressive movement as a way to develop Nigeria.

“He worked tirelessly for the ideal which gave rise to the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015.

“He provided the needed leadership toward the formation of the APC from All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Action Congress of the Nigeria (ACN), and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC),” he said.

The President noted that the APC has continued to grow in leaps and bounds and has produced two presidents, including himself, since then.

“We will miss him but will continue to uphold the ideals he stood for in life,” he said.

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Gov. Francis Nwifuru thanked Tinubu and all the dignitaries that attended the funeral.

“I also thank you on behalf of south east governors for honouring our son who left indelible footprints on Ebonyi and Nigeria.

“We bid farewell to a man who gave his all to the service of mankind and had an inspirational trajectory of political success from governor, party chairman and minister.

“Onu as a former governor of Abia left infrastructural and human empowerment legacies as Ebonyi was carved from some parts of Abia,” he said.

Nwifuru donated N100 million for the completion of the Christ the King’s Catholic Church, Uburu which was conceived and constructed by the late Onu.

The Catholic Bishop of Owerri Diocese, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji in the funeral service held for Onu, urged people to always live with the realisation that they would face death.

“Our son and father has ran his own race and such is the destiny of every mortal,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the dignitaries who attended the burial include were Governors Alex Otti of Abia and Peter Mbah of Enugu.

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Governors Hope Uzodimma of Imo and Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra were represented by their deputies.

Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election also graced the occasion.

The APC National Chairman, Alhaji Umar Ganduje among dignitaries from all parts of the country, also graced the event.

(NAN)

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Former Miss Nigeria dies in London

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Former Miss Nigeria, Edna Ibru
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Ex-Miss Nigeria and former First Lady of Delta State, Mrs Edna Ibru (nee Park) is dead.

Edna Ibru, wife of Olorogun Felix Ibru, the first civilian Governor of Delta State between 1991 and 1992, died in her 80s on Wednesday, in a London hospital after a brief illness.

The deceased, who was Miss Nigeria 1964, and the first Nigerian/African to represent Nigeria at Miss Universe, had two children for Ibru.

The Ibru family of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom in Delta State confirmed the death of the former first lady in a statement issued by her son, Dr Paul Ibru, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Saturday.

“Our amazing mother passed onto glory on Wednesday 15, January 2025 after a brief illness”, the statement partly read.

It continued, “Until her death, she was full of life and we never expected her to leave us so soon but we cannot question the will of God in her precious life.

“She was a lover of people, a mediator, a mother to many, outrageously humorous, deeply caring, down to earth, full of stories all of the time, and we will miss her very dearly.”

Paul added that arrangements for her burial would be announced by the family later.

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Tinubu administration has no plan, no vision – Bauchi Governor

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Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has expressed disappointment with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that while he initially celebrated Tinubu’s victory, he has since observed a lack of clear vision and effective policies that are hindering national progress.

Mohammed, who was an opposition governor during the 2023 elections, admitted to having high hopes for the new administration due to Tinubu’s successful tenure as Lagos State Governor.

However, he now believes that freedom and development remain elusive under the current leadership.

Speaking at a courtesy visit by Apostle Johnson Suleiman, the founder of Omega Fire Ministry, in Bauchi, Mohammed emphasized that President Tinubu appears to have entered office without a concrete plan or manifesto.

He also criticized the president for surrounding himself with individuals who he described as “misfits,” and warned that the administration’s direction is likely to lead Nigeria down a path of destruction.

The Governor clarified that he holds no personal animosity toward Tinubu, but expressed concern over the impact of the current policies, particularly those that he believes could negatively affect Nigerians.

He urged the president to be more inclusive and develop a comprehensive, well-thought-out vision for the country.

Mohammed called for reforms that would be beneficial to all citizens, stressing the need for unity and respect for Nigeria’s diversity.

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He cautioned against divisive policies and practices of impunity, urging for governance that prioritizes the welfare of the people and ensures their aspirations are not stifled.

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Yahoo Boys shoot EFCC officer dead, injure another in Anambra

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Armed internet fraudsters fatally shot an officer after opening fire on a team of anti-graft operatives in Anambra on Friday.

The officers were on a mission to corner a cluster of suspected cybercriminals, widely known as Yahoo Boys, when they were met with lethal violence on Friday morning.

One officer was shot dead on the spot and another sustained serious injuries and remained hospitalised in critical condition as of Friday night.

The officers had travelled to Anambra on the assignment from their zonal headquarters in Enugu.

A male suspect has been taken into custody for the murder, an official said. His identity was not immediately disclosed just as the motive of the attack is yet to be ascertained.

A spokesman for the EFCC said he would find out about the incident when contacted.

A police spokesman in Anambra did not immediately comment on the development.

The attack came as chairman Ola Olukoyede was recalibrating the agency’s protocol on raiding white-collar criminals. Yahoo Boys were hitherto largely known to be unarmed and, therefore, easily to take into custody.

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The deceased officer was identified as an assistant superintendent who had recently completed a promotional examination.

It was learnt that the identity of the officer was kept secret to allow time for his family to be officially notified.

Anti-graft agents expressed apprehension over the development saying the agency’s personnel insurance had been moribund for years.

“We no longer have life insurance,” an officer said under anonymity to discuss internal administrative policies.

“The last time family members of an officer who died on duty were compensated was under Farida Waziri.”

“So the families of the officer that died today won’t be getting anything,” another officer added. “So can we say he died for nothing?”

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