A former national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Rex Onyeabo, has died.

He was 80.

His son, Obiora Onyeabo, announced his demise in a statement on Thursday. According to him, the former PDP chieftain passed on peacefully on August 7.

“With heavy hearts but gratitude to God for a life well spent, the Onyeabo Family of Enugu State announces the passing of our Patriarch and Statesman, Chief (Sir) Rex Chuma Onyeabo (KSM).

“He is the Eze-Ugo 1 of the Abuja Igbo Community, Onwa na-etili Ora 1 of Ugbawka, Ijele 1 na Akaegbe-Ugwu and Ada-Idaha of the Efik Kingdom. Chief Rex Onyeabo is a founding member of the PDP and served as its national secretary in 1999 as well as on the PDP’s Board of Trustees until death.

“Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course by the family. Whilst requesting your prayers during this period, kindly direct all enquiries to Dr Obiora Onyeabo and Mr Arinze Onyeabo at 08023355509 and 0814 415 1675 or email onwaliveson2025@gmail.com,” he said.

Mr Onyeabor is an engineering alumnus of Carnegie Mellon University in the U.S. and, upon returning to Nigeria, was committed to public service.

He served in various capacities both at the federal and state levels, including deputy chairman of the governing board of the Federal Capital Development Authority and chairman of the governing council of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital.

He was the chairman of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, the chairman of Nike Lake Resort Hotels in Enugu, and the permanent secretary at the Enugu State Ministry of Works, Housing, and Transport.

He also served as the chairman of the Local Government Services Commission and the Information and Culture Committee at the Institute of Directors, Abuja.

Mr Onyeabo ran several successful companies, was a member of the Noble Order of Knights of St. Mulumba, and was an active member of the Catholic communities in Abuja and Enugu.

(NAN)