Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu Mourns Ex-Minister Dubem Onyia, Calls His Death Devastating
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has described the death of former minister Chief Dubem Onyia as a shocking and devastating loss.
Onyia, who served as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs from 1999 to 2003, passed away at the age of 73 on Monday in an Abuja hospital after a brief illness.
He hails from Enugu Ngwo, the same community as Odumegwu-Ojukwu, making his passing both a national and deeply personal loss for her.
During a condolence visit to Onyia’s family in Abuja, Odumegwu-Ojukwu extolled his contributions to Nigeria’s global standing, describing him as a statesman, diplomat, and patriot.
“He was my big brother and uncle, and in a seeming coincidence, I now occupy the same position he held 22 years ago,” she said. “His footprints in Nigeria’s foreign relations are indelible, and he will have a prominent place in history.”
Onyia played a crucial role in shaping Nigeria’s diplomacy, holding key positions such as Chairman of the International Technical Commission for the National Boundary Commission and the Nigeria Economic Joint Commission.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu prayed for strength for his bereaved family and eternal rest for his soul.
