Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has renamed the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba after Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, as a way of immortalizing the legendary Igbo politician and first Governor of the State.

Otti announced this in a powerful tribute to the departed statesman on Thursday, November 7, 2024 during an interdenominational church service in his honour in Umuahia, the state capital.

Otti said the renaming of the Polytechnic, which was established in 1992 during Onu’s tenure as Governor, honours Onu’s distinguished legacy and acknowledges his significant contributions to the state’s early development and leadership.

The late Onu was widely respected for his visionary approach to governance and his dedication to enhancing the welfare of Abians.

His tenure as Governor of the State marked a period of foundational progress, with Onu laying the groundwork for numerous developments across education, infrastructure, and economic growth that shaped Abia’s trajectory as a young state.

“Dr Onu was one leader who believed that our true path to development lies in building institutions that train and equip our young people with the knowledge that makes them productive and competitive, especially in relevant fields of technology, science, education, and agriculture.

“He did not just stop at making education the most important industry in the state under his watch; he did something that was unprecedented at the time by abolishing the indigene/non-indigene dichotomy in the state’s civil service, making it clear to all that if you have the skills and competencies to serve our people diligently, you are an Abian and can seek and find employment here, irrespective of where you were born or where you started from. This philosophy, which we have since adopted as an administration, made the civil service competitive.

“In addition to other significant accomplishments during his short tenure as governor, Dr Onu also achieved another distinction when he became the pioneer Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Elected Governors, providing leadership to his peers while galvanising the body of governors into a veritable force for democracy, good governance, and accelerated national development.

“It was no surprise that the next time he appeared on the scene, as the country prepared to welcome the Fourth Republic, he was a major contender for the presidency.

“According to him, Onu was, by every measure, qualified to serve this country as its president at the dawn of the Fourth Republic and had a good run at it.

“He only had to let go of his ambition when circumstances contrived against it, but he still found other veritable ways of serving the country he loved so dearly.

“He was an important voice for democracy, a true nationalist and patriot who saw beyond the narrow prism of ethnicity and religion.

“He saw every Nigerian as a citizen who has the right to pursue their economic and social aspirations from any part of the country, unrestricted by individual or institutional biases.”

Dr. Otti explained that his administration’s decision to rename the Polytechnic aligns with its commitment to preserving the legacies of outstanding leaders in Abia’s history.

The Governor highlighted Dr. Onu’s passion for educational advancement, noting that the newly renamed institution will serve as a constant reminder of Onu’s dedication to the people of Abia and his pioneering efforts as their first governor.

This commemoration not only marks a milestone for the institution but also underscores the importance of honoring leaders who have left an indelible mark on the state’s history.

The newly named Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic will continue to uphold the values and vision of its namesake, inspiring students and the community alike.