Abia buries Commissioner, as Permanent Secretary dies

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia

Governor Alex Otti has said that burying his “friend and brother, the late Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Comrade Sunny Okebugwu Nwanganga Onwuma, was painful experience for him.

“It is very painful to be here to bid farewell to a colleague, a friend, a brother, a strong voice in the cabinet of Abia State government,” Governor Otti lamented, as remains of the former Commissioner was laid to rest in his country home, Ihie-Obuaku, Isiala Ihie Autonomous Community in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area.

The burial ceremony conducted by the Anglican Church at the Community Primary School, Mbaso Ihie-Obuaku. The Governor narrated how the government fought to save late Comrade Onwuma’s life but death prevailed.

“When this (sickness) started, I feared for a day like this, though somehow, I was convinced that it was not going to be. We fought for him to be alive, but we lost the fight. And I believe that God had a different purpose, and that’s why this happened,” the Governor said. 

He re-emphasized that it is not so much about how long one lived, but how well, noting that the deceased lived well and assured that Abia State government would support the family.

“It is important that I re-emphasize what I said at the night of tribute, which the Bishop talked about, when I was saying that it is not so much about how long, but how well.

“We are all gathered here today because he lived his life well. It is important that as we live here, we keep asking that question. When we are no more here, will people gather like this? What would they say? 

“We thank God that he (Onwuma) left a lot of legacies. And the challenge now is for the family, the children, to carry on from where he stopped. I want to pray that God will help them. 

“I also would like to assure them that the Abia State government will not turn its back on them,” Governor Otti promised.

For the Organised Labour in the State, it was a cry for a committed unionist. Comrade Onwuma, before becoming a Commissioner, rose to become the state Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC) which made the state Nigeria Labour Congress Chairman, Comrade Ogbonnaya Okoro, to pay tribute to the fallen labour leader for his commitment to unionism in Abia State.

While urging the members of the immediate family and state government to take heart over the unfortunate incident, Okoro enjoined the family to sustain the legacies of their fallen hero and thanked Governor Otti for his interest in their fallen colleague.

Also, the First Vice President, Old Boys Association of Government College Umuahia, Sir Onyii Wamah, described Comrade Onwuma as a  dedicated Old Boy who served the association faithfully. 

Wamah thanked the Governor for his assistance to the family and urged him to sustain it.

In his sermon, the Bishop of Aba Diocese of Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Dr. Christian Ugwuzor, stressed on the need for all to be upright as a day of judgement was coming, when Christ shall reward everyone according to his works.

Rt. Rev. Ugwuzor described late Comrade Sunny Onwuma as a very good man, who not only contributed to the growth of the Church but assisted individuals in the wider society. He challenged everybody to live a life worthy of emulation so that they would be remembered for good when they are no more. 

In a funeral oration on behalf of the family,  Mr. Gooddestiny Nmesoma Onwuma, described their father as a voice of the voiceless, a gentleman, a man of integrity, a unionist and a devoted Christian. He  regretted that they would miss their father’s advice and care and thanked Governor Alex Otti and everyone for coming to identify and support them in their moment of grief. 

Late Comrade Sunny Onwuma, who initially joined the Abia State cabinet as Commissioner for Transport, died at the age of 62 and is survived by his wife, Mrs. Stella Ngozi Onwuma, five children and  host of other relatives.

The wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, member representing Ugwunagbo, Osisioma and Obingwa Federal Constituency, Hon. Munachim Alozie, members of the Abia State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, Mayors, clergymen, traditional rulers among many dignitaries, were present at the funeral. 

Meanwhile, while preparations were in top gear to bury Onwuma, the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Mr. Ugochukwu Kingston Elefue, suddenly gave up the ghost. He died on Sunday, May 11, 2025.

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, led the Government House staff on a condolence visit to the deceased’s family at Amawom Oboro in Ikwuano local government area last Friday, a day after Onwuma’s burial.

Commiserating with the bereaved family, Pastor Ajagba, represented by the Director of Administration, Government House, Lady Nwomiko Udo Nwokocha, urged the widow, Mrs. Glory Elefue, and the entire family to bear the great loss with fortitude.

He described the late Permanent Secretary as an unassuming personality, a kind-hearted man who worked well with him for the few months he stayed in Government House as Permanent Secretary and assured them of government’s support.

Also speaking, the Chairman Staff Welfare Association, Government House, Mrs. Benadeth Oluchi Ubani, said the late Permanent Secretary was a very good man and an accommodating boss.

Mrs Ubani expressed sadness over the sudden death of the Permanent Secretary, saying that the staff would miss him greatly and assured the family that the Association would do everything possible to support the family as they prepare for the burial of their boss.

Responding on behalf of the family, younger brother of the deceased, Mr. Ifeanyi Elefue, thanked the Chief of Staff and entire management and staff of Government House for identifying with them in their moment of grief.

The representative of the Chief of Staff later signed condolence register on behalf of the management and staff of Government House.