thisday0520

42 WEDNESDAY MAY20, 2015 THISDAY
EBONYI PROFESSIONALS FORUM (EPF)
47 Nsugbe Street, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
Email: uaobasi@gmail.com, auchbag@yahoo.com
HISTORICAL FACTS THAT SUPPORT DR OGBONNAYA ONU TO BE SGF: OUR STAND
Advertorial
We, the above named law abiding group made up of Ebonyi state of this nature are not made on the pages of the newspapers or the social media or
indigenous professionals with expertise and skills cutting across by gossip and mudslinging. No! Fortunately, Mr President-elect knows his party
different fields of endeavour and operating in Nigeria and beyond have members and who deserves what. He knows the attributes of his party members.
reviewed the political situations and developments in the state and Nigeria at He knows the square and round pegs and what holes they suit. He knows who he
large and have decided to lend our voice to the call that Dr Ogbonnaya Onu be wants for each position and so much aware of how best to accomplish the
appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, by the incoming promises he made to Nigerians.
administration of General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd).
But we are alarmed by the 'xenophobism' of some elements who have started to
For the avoidance of doubt, Dr Onu is a world acclaimed Chemical Engineer and nurse certain fears that another Ebonyi person is going to be SGF in quick
was a one time University Don; he was the former Governor of old Abia State; succession just after the incumbent, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON. There
former Presidential Candidate of the All Peoples Party, APP and lately former are also those who are unnecessarily afraid about how Onu will use his new
Chairman of the All Nigerians People's Party, ANPP. He is an astute Office when he is finally appointed. We understand such worries and anxieties.
administrator and a trusted politician. Dr Onu pioneered modern politics in the old
Afikpo zone and Ohaozara regarded then as backward. No one gave him a We have to point out that Onu is never known for abuse of power. He is a
chance when he showed interest to contest the governorship of then larger Abia peaceful man; well nurtured. As a HOD in the University of Port Harcourt, he was
State. But he won. Afterwards, all persons--young and old--from his once naive highly accessible to students. He was amiable and available to handle their
native Ohaozara became smart, rediscovering themselves and potentials to matters. As Governor of Abia State, everyone knew he operated an open door
accomplish their hitherto hidden political life, dreams and ambitions.
policy. So no one need fear about possibilities of over-reaching himself and/or
becoming a power monger.
Onu is a pathfinder. He is God-fearing and gives all his energy to Causes he For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to draw the attention of people who are
believes in. Dr Onu plays politics without bitterness. Even in the face of working against the rise of this gentleman for the good of Nigeria that there are
provocations, he remains calm. He is creative, a man of ideas. As Governor of several acts of God, historical evidences in Nigeria as can be seen above and
Abia state, he came up with the idea of OBU AKU CITY (City of Wealth) between even natural coincidences that defy human logic to support an appointment of Dr
Aba, Abia State and Port Harcourt, Rivers State and meant to decongest Aba Ogbonnaya Onu as the SGF at a time like this.
simply to attract business interests from Port Harcourt. He designed roads to
connect the entire LGAs of Abia State and initiated several people-oriented For those who are afraid that another SGF is about to come from Ebonyi State,
projects. But less than two years into Office, his tenure was cut short by the can we let them know that:
military Government of General Sani Abacha. Abians missed his candour and I. Generals Murtala Mohammed and Sani Abacha were from Kano;
humble dispositions.
ii. General Obasanjo, MKO Abiola and Chief Ernest Shonekan are
from the same Ogun State;
Dr Onu moved on and played active nationalistic roles in the subsequent iii. Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdusalami Abubakar are from
transition to civilian authority. He remained supportive to his party of choice and Niger State;
peaceful back home. Despite unwarranted attacks and other calculated iv. Generals Muhammadu Buhari and Shehu Musa Yar'adua and
conspiracies on and against his person, he was steadfast, resolute and focused. former President Umaru Musa Yar'adua are from Katsina State;
As an opposition player, he staved off all attractions especially those meant to be v. Former President Shehu Shagari and ever respectable Ahmadu
baits to lure him to the then ruling party. Instead, he moved about across the Bello from Sokoto;
nation mobilizing efforts and membership for his party. He was determined. He vi. Senators Chuba Okadigbo and Nwafor Orizu were from Anambra State.
made sacrifices.
His defining moment however came when he assiduously worked for the merger To us, these are real acts of God and coincidences that prove the power of God
of similar opposition parties like his ANPP and ACN, CPC, ANPP and a part of over man. They are not within the control of anyone. Therefore, it does not matter
APGA to form a robust opposition to PDP with a wider objective of democratically that the outgoing SGF and Dr Onu are from the same Ebonyi State. After all, both
taking over power from the party. As a consensus builder and team player, he men are of different parties with varied leadership styles and approaches to
stepped down his personal ambition of being the National Chairman of the new situations. If Onu is eventually appointed, and we hope he will, he and Anyim
All Progressives Congress, APC, that has won the presidential election and with would have served different authorities in separate political environments.
a majority in the National Assembly.
Without any equivocations, we associate ourselves with the call that APC and
Dr Onu is a quintessential and urbane leader whose ideals include altruism, President-elect Buhari in zoning the SGF's office to the South East should
diligence and accountability. Dr Onu is not avaricious. He does not cross a bridge consider Chief Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, accomplished humble man of immense
and break it or prays that it breaks or that no one else crosses it. He preaches contentment. He will serve well. And this we say in our honour. We believe in God
social justice. He allows young and old equal opportunity to prove themselves who makes all things possible.
and excel in their chosen areas. Above all, he is a patient person and can listen God bless Nigeria!
well. He is not violent. He believes in the robustness and superiority of
arguments.
God bless our President-elect!
We are therefore not surprised that his personal traits suit those of our new
President-elect in many ways. Onu doesn't believe in bogey wealth. He's a highly
contented man and without any controversies around him. He doesn't come off
as someone that will advance his personal cause using his office or enrich
himself. He is austere, spartan and not opulent. He is a loyal man, and a team
player.
Recently, the media has been awash with calls by groups and individuals for
support to their chosen candidates for the Office of the SGF. There have been
several too in support of Onu. But we know and are convinced that appointments
Engr. Nkemakolam Odii
Chairman, EPF
Barr. Uchenna Akpa,
Secretary, EPF
Mr Chinedu Ujunwa Nwaja
PRO