Otti, Organized Labour, GCUOBA, Others Eulogize Onwuma as Abia Govt Holds Night of Tributes for Late Commissioner

It was a night full of eulogies for the first Commissioner for Labour and Productivity in Abia State, Late Comrade Sunny Okebugwu Nwanganga Onwuma as Abia State Government holds night of Tributes for her deceased cabinet member.

Speaking at the event held at JAAC Building auditorium, Umuahia, Governor Alex Otti appreciated the interventions and the way the late Onwuma approached issues from day one their parts crossed, noting, particularly, his rip-cracking jokes.

Otti, who regretted his demise, said he enjoyed working with him, and stressed the need for all to be mindful of how they live their lives as well as what people would say of them when they are no more.

“Every time, he had a way of deflecting tension and making light of every situation.

“It is difficult to be reminded that he will no longer be with us in EXCO, he will no longer be the bridge builder.

“You know, any time there is labour issue, I will pick up my phone and I would call him and he will come back with results. So, it is very difficult to accept that he is no more.

“As we are here giving all the tributes, the question we should ask ourselves, one simple question – what will people say about us when we are no more? What will people say about you when you are no more here?

The Governor also admonished the family to take heart and continue to be strong, assuring them that: “as a government, we will do everything that is possible to support the family”.

Speaking on behalf of the members of the State Executive Council, the Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna described his commitment to workers’ welfare as unwavering, noting that under this leadership, labour relations improved greatly.

In their tributes, his childhood friend, Innocent Nwogwugwu, Eze Justice Uwaga of Government College Umuahia Old Boys Association, (GCUOBA) and Sir Nathan Harbour, affirmed that late Comrade Onwuma was a very good man, jovial and a jolly good fellow.

For his wife, Mrs. Stella Ngozi Onwuma and the daughter, Miss Ezinne Onwuma, the deceased was an adviser, a gentleman, a man of integrity, an astute unionist and a devoted Christian and a voice of the voiceless.

They regretted that they would miss his fatherly love and care and appreciated all for identifying with them.

On their part, the Organised Labour in Abia State, through the Chairman of Trade Union Congress, Comrade Ihechi Eneogwe the late Onwuma was a distinguished labour leader and a dedicated servant, noting that as a champion of workers’ rights, he used his position as the State Chairman of TUC to pursue excellence.

Late Comrade Sunny Onwuma , a former TUC Chairman in Abia State, who died at the age of 62 would be buried on Thursday, 15th May at his home town in Isiala-Ihie in Ugwunagbo LGA of the State.

In a brief exaltation titled, “Look and Live” with the Bible references from the book of John 3:14 & 15, Venerable Dr. Chukwuemeka Agbanyim of the Anglican church said that Jesus has provided victory over sin and enjoined everyone to make up their minds to look unto Jesus for salvation.

He described Comrade Onwuma as a good Christian who contributed to the growth of the church and expressed the hope that he is resting in the bosom of the Lord.

Late Sunny Onwuma, a former TUC Chairman in Abia State, died at 62 years and would be buried on Thursday, 15th May at his home town in Isiala-Ihie in Ugwunagbo LGA of the State.