A former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Chief Dubem Onyia, has died. He was aged 73.
A report by Law and Society Magazine said that he died yesterday [Sunday] in London.
Onyia, who was elected member of the House of Representatives in 1999, later resigned to serve as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs from 1999 to 2003.
During that period, he was also appointed Chairman of the International Technical Commission for the National Boundary Commission; Chairman, Nigeria Economic Joint Commission and Chairman Sao Tome and Principe Joint Boundary Commission.
The Enugu State-born former minister chaired many corporate boards and served on numerous government committees.
In his life and time, Chief Onyia, OON received several national and international honours.
He also served as a trustee of the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Foundation.
Dubem Onyia was an accountant, politician, administrator.
He was born on Feberuary 23, 1952 in Enugu. He attended Ikeja District Primary School, Ikeja Lagos, 1958-64; Fatima College Ikire, 1964-66; College of Immaculate Conception Enugu, 1966-71; Northampton College of Technology, U.K, 1974-76; Nene College, Affiliate of Leicester University, North Hampton, UK, 1976-80; Conventry Polytechnic, Coventry UK, 1981-82.
He was Clerical Officer, Post and Telecommunications, Enugu, 1972-74; Trainee Accountant, Trickers International Ltd, Northampton UK, 1980-81; Accountant, Evans Publishers, Jericho Road, Ibadan, 1982-83.
He was senior Accountant, Anambra State Supply and Distribution Agency, Anambra State,1983-84; Head, Accounts Division, Federal Ministry of Trade and tourism, Enugu, 1984-92.
He was chairman of Ngwo Community Bank Ltd., 1990-92; Executive Durdctor of Danggonite Ent. Ltd, Enugu, 1994-99; member of the House of Reps, National Assembly, Abuja, 1999; Minister, State Foreign Affairs, Abuja, since 1999-2003;.
He was a member of Constituent Assembly, Abuja, 1988-89; Power and Control of Public Fund Committee, 1988-89; member House of Representatives, National Assembly, Abuja, 1992-93; Selection Standing Committee, House of Representatives, Abuja, 1999.
He chaired Federal House Of Committee on Transport and Aviation, 1992-93.
He was General Sec. Eastern Mandate Union, 1993-99; he was National secretary. People Consensus Party, 1996; Founding member. Peoples Democratic Party, 1998; Asst. National Secretary. National Working Committee, PDP, 1998; Chairman of Enugu State Governor Election Inauguration Committee, Enugu State, 1999; PDP National Committee on Strategy and Intelligence, 1999; State Coordinator, Obasanjo for Presidency Campaign Organisation, Enugu State. 1999.
His hobbies were reading, writing, and playing table tennis.
