Gov Peter Mbah of Enugu State, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Chief Dubem Onyia.
The Onyia’s family had on Monday announced the passing of the statesman at the age of 73, after a brief illness.
The deceased served as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs between 1999 and 2003, during the administration of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
Mbah in a statement on Tuesday in Enugu described the death of Onyia who was also a former federal lawmaker as a monumental loss to the nation.
He also described the deceased as consummate public servant and patriot, who committed his entire working life to his people and the nation in various capacities.
”Ndi Enugu received with a deep sense of grief and loss, the passing of statesman and former Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Chief Dubem Gideon Onyia, aged 73.
”Chief Onyia was a distinguished leader, fine diplomat, patriot, consummate public servant, and quintessential intellectual, who shone more than a million stars in the service of his community, Enugu State, and Nigeria as a whole.
”He lived a life of total service to Ngwo community, Enugu State, and Nigeria as a whole. His vast experience, knowledge, national and international reach will be missed.
”A former Member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, he was appointed by former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to serve as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs between 1999 and 2003,” Mbah said.
The further governor described Onyia as a quintessential leader of men who went on to serve Nigeria in other high-profile capacities, holding the position of Chairman, Nigeria Economic Joint Commission; Chairman, Sao Tome and Principe Joint Boundary Commission.
”He contributed immensely to Nigeria’s constitutional and political development as Member, 1988 and 1998 Constituent Assembly in Abuja, Secretary General of the Eastern Mandate Union, National Secretary of the Peoples Consensus Party.
“Onyia was among the founding member and later national officer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), among others.
”He was indeed a fine gentleman, philanthropist, promoter of peace, justice and equity, and indeed a colossus in all ramifications, whose selfless service, wealth of experience, deep knowledge, and local and international reach will be highly missed,” he added.
“On behalf of the government and good people of Enugu State, I send heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, the people of Ngwo, and indeed millions of Nigerians whose lives were directly and indirectly touched by the distinguished service of this great patriot.
”Importantly, I pray God to grant his fine soul eternal repose,” Mbah said. (NAN)
