Ogbonnaya  Onu, Ngige Storms Nnewi for late Gen Momah, Condoles Igwe Orizu as Igbo Mandate Congress Seeks Cooperation

The Nigerian Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu stormed Nnewi with officials of the ministry to honour a friend and colleague, late General Samuel Momah Rtd on Saturday, October 30. Dr Onu described late General Momoh as a scientist whom he had known for close to fifty years and whom they both worked together to revive industries in the South East, including Nigercem Nkalagu, immediately after the civil war.

He disclosed this in the palace of Igwe Orizu of Nnewi on a condolence visit to the palace of the monarch. Dr Ogbonnaya Onu described the death of late General Momah as “painful because we just spoke a week before his death, and I was discussing with him on how I attended the burial of late Late Colonel Iheanacho, three of us served in Nigercem Nkalagu immediatey after the civil war and we were drafted to revive the place and we made it resourceful, productive and profitable “

Dr Ogbonnaya Onu who holds the title of ‘Akajiugo of Nnewi’ described Igwe Kenneth Orizu of Nnewi as “ninety five years younger, and asked God to continue to keep the Nnewi monarch who recently turned ninety five years. He described as divine coincidence that his friend Momah was also given the title of ‘Ugomba Nnewi’ while he was given the title of ‘Akajiugo Nnewi’ by the same monarch’

Igwe Orizu described Dr Ogbonnaya Onu and Late General Momah as accomplished scientist whose input helped to stabilize the system after the civil war. He prayed for the success of Dr Ogbonnaya Onu and his delegation in their entire endeavor.

The delegation that accompanied Dr Ogbonnaya Onu to Igwe Orizu’s Palace include Dr Ben Etiaba (APC Gubernatorial Aspirant) Rev Obinna Akukwe (Director General, Igbo Mandate Congress), Barrister Emejulu Okpalaukwu (Chairman , Igbo-Ohanaeze Integrity Groups), and Directors from the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige was also at the country home of late General Momah to pay homage to the late minister of science and technology. He was received by Dr Emeka Momah, first son of the deceased and the elders of the family. The Governor of Anambra State Willie Obiano was represented by Professor Solo Chukwulobe (Secretary to State Government) and Air Vice Marshal Ben Chiobi. (Security Adviser to Governor Obiano) Igwe Mbamalu Okeke of Abagana, Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze, (President World Igbo Congress ), Rev Obinna Akukwe, Director Genral Igbo Mandate Congress) Barristre Emejulu Okpalaukwu (Chairman, Igbo Ohanaeze Integrity Groups)

The military was well represented by Major General L A Adegboye (GOC 82 Division) who represented the Chief of Army Staff. Some army generals at the event include Major General J.S Malu (Director, Defense Standards and Evaluation), Major General JC Egbudom (Commandant Nigerian Army Engineering Schools), Major General S A Yaro( Director Nigerian Army Welfare Board), Major General H.E Ayamasowe (Fmr Registrar, Nigeria Defense Academy)) Major General C.O Ofoche ( Director of Policy and Plans, Army Headquarters) and Major General I B Fakrougha (Commandant Women Corps

Other senior officers at the event include Brigadier General JS Maina (Director of Militry Intelligence 82 Division, Enugu), Col A I M Lapai (Commander Military Cantonment Onitsha), Col C I Nwaonyi (Commander Nigerian Army Provost Corps 82 Div), Col AA Yusuf (Director Army Public Relations 82 Div, Enugu)

The late General Momah was in the process of releasing his ‘Green Book’ on Nigeria before he died. This was disclosed to the Director General of Igbo Mandate Congress, Rev Obinna Akukwe by the eldest son of the deceased, Dr Emeka Momah. According to Dr Momah “my father believed in the economic restructuring of Nigeria, not the political type, purely economic so that each region will be economically viable and Nigeria will consequentially take its place in Africa as a regional economic power. He finished writing the last piece of the book just before he died .My father believes that if Nigeria does not restructure economically, in few years’ time the system will collapse”

Igbo Mandate Congress have called upon the Federal Government of Muhammadu Buhari to look into the economic restructuring model espoused by the late accomplished scientist, engineer and military officer as a panacea to the huge dependency on national cake which is stifling the centre.

Major General Samuel Momah from Okpunegwu, Umudim, Nnewi was former Commandant of Nigerian Army Engineering Corps, Adjutant General of the Nigerian Army, Minister of Science and Technology and member of Provisional Ruling Council. He served as Minister of Science and Technology during Abacha and Abdulsalami tenures as military president