LATE HON. NNANNA VALEDICTORY SESSION: “I AM ALMOST EMPTY; I DON’T HAVE SOMEONE LIKE WATCH OUT AGAIN,” — ADIMELECHI, PhD
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Larry Okorigbo
OWERRI, IMO STATE — September 23, 2026: A close friend and former colleague of late Hon. Chief Sir. Ethelbert Nnanna Nze, popularly known as “Watch Out,” Dr. Adimelechi Henry C., has described the death of the former Imo State House of Assembly member as a painful personal loss, saying he feels “almost empty” without his longtime friend.
Adimelechi spoke to Inside Agwa News after the valedictory session held at the Imo State House of Assembly Chamber in honour of the late former lawmaker, whose remains were brought to the Chamber for the ceremonial proceedings.
Nnanna represented Oguta State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007. Adimelechi recalled that their relationship began at Ada Palm Nigeria Limited, where Nnanna worked under him as a supervisor.
He described the late politician as diligent, intelligent and hardworking, noting that he carried out every assignment given to him with passion and delivered results. According to him, those qualities contributed to Nnanna's rise through the administrative structure of Ada Palm Nigeria Limited to become its Managing Director.
Adimelechi also explained the origin of Nnanna's popular nickname, “Watch Out,” linking it to the deceased's determination to succeed academically despite the challenges he faced while combining work and education.
Speaking to Inside Agwa News correspondent after the valedictory session, Adimelechi said:
“I am Adimelechi Henry C. Ph.D., a very close friend and brother to late Honorable Chief Sir Ethelbert Nnanna Nze, popularly known as Watch Out.
“This man we have come to observe his valedictory session was in this House of Assembly between 2003 and 2007. I worked with him closely and also when he contested election in Oguta as chairman in 1999.
“I was very close and planned everything with him. Because we knew ourselves from Ada Palm. He was a staff under me; I was a supervisor. But because of his intelligence, we became so close. You know, two like minds who always like to meet.
“Because of his intelligence, when he went to secondary school, he wasn't going to school as a regular student because he was working, but during work he wrote his papers and passed as far back as 1980.
“People would be mocking him: Why are you at home? How can he pass? But at the end of the day, when he wrote his examinations, he passed all his papers. And each time they told him, ‘You are not going to do it,’ he would say, ‘Watch Out.’ And at the end of the day, he watched out and he made it. It was a surprise. And that action became a nickname to him. Most importantly, he has died. I am very sad since his demise.
“I happen to be the chairman of the planning committee. We are here today at the Imo State House of Assembly to wish him well and observe the valedictory session on his behalf.”
Adimelechi also recalled their political activities, particularly the planning surrounding Nnanna's 2003 election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which saw him emerge as the representative of Oguta State Constituency in the House of Assembly.
He further acknowledged Nnanna's contributions to the development of Imo State, Oguta and Agwa through his legislative and public-service engagements, describing him as a person whose presence was felt wherever he operated.
When asked what he would miss most about his longtime friend, Adimelechi became emotional and said:
“Well, my brother, Watch Out is not somebody to be missed. And since his death, it has not been very easy with me. It's like I am empty because I don't have somebody like Watch Out beside me. He's somebody that I valued very much. I sympathize with the family; I sympathize with myself. And most importantly, I wish him well.”
Adimelechi, who is also the Chairman of the Central Burial Committee, expressed sympathy to the family of the deceased and reflected on the personal impact of the loss.
Late Hon. Chief Sir. Ethelbert Nnanna Nze was a former Managing Director of Ada Palm Nigeria Limited, former Chairman of Oguta LGA, former Special Adviser to the Governor and Traditional Prime Minister (TPM) of Mbano Agwa Autonomous Community, Oguta LGA, Imo State.
The valedictory session was attended by serving and former lawmakers of the Imo State House of Assembly, including the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, who presided over the session; Hon. M. O. Nlemedim, former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Imo State; Hon. Engr. Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu, the incumbent member representing Oguta State Constituency; Hon. Henry Uzoma Ezediaro, a former member representing Oguta State Constituency; Prince Malachy Asor, the Regent of Obudi-Agwa Ancient Kingdom, Oguta LGA, Imo State; among others.
