NNAEMEKA NNANNA BURIES FATHER AS OPIA, DIBIAGWU, UCHEGBU, OLU OHA II, ASO, NWOSU, MGBOROKWU, EBERENDU, IKUNNA, ONYEKACHI, NWABEKEE, OBODO, NZIMAKO, ADIMELECHI, OTHERS PAY TRIBUTES
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Rita Onuoha
OBEAMA, AGWA, OGUTA LGA, IMO STATE — The people of Agwa and Oguta witnessed heavy traffic and movement of mourners across Imo State and beyond as sympathisers assembled at Umuomara, Obeama, in Mbano Agwa Autonomous Community, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, to pay their last respects to the late Hon. Chief Sir. Ethelbert Nnanna Nze, popularly known as “Watch Out,” on Friday, September 25, 2026.
The burial attracted political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, former and serving public officials, friends, associates and members of the community who gathered to honour the late politician and administrator.
The burial rites began on September 17, 2026, with a Vigil Mass organised by the Catholic Men Organization (CMO), St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Chaplaincy, Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, where the late lawmaker was described as a devoted Catholic and charismatic leader.
The activities continued on Wednesday, September 23, with a valedictory session at the Imo State House of Assembly, presided over by the Speaker of the 10th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, representing Obowo State Constituency.
Both serving and former lawmakers attended the session and paid tributes to the deceased.
In their testimonies about the life and times of the late Watch Out during the valedictory session, Hon. M. O. Nlemedim, Esq., former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Imo State; Prince Malachy Asor, the Regent of Obudi-Agwa Ancient Kingdom; Hon. Engr. Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu, serving Member, Oguta State Constituency; Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie, representing Mbaitolu State Constituency; Henry Ezediaro, former Oguta State Constituency member; Goddy Esom, PhD, former member, Ohaji-Egbema State Constituency; Dr. Chimere Arizne Obodo, Esq., Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri; and Hon. Mr. Adimelechi Henry C., PhD, Commissioner, Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC), among others, paid encomium to his contributions to the development of Imo State and Oguta during his time as a lawmaker and public servant.
On Friday, September 25, the remains departed Aladimma Hospital Mortuary, Owerri, in a long motorcade convoy, with brief stopovers at his residence in Ikenegbu, Owerri; Complimentary Suits and Hotel, opposite 40-40 Hotel, Owerri Municipal; his maternal home at Obeama, Agwa; and the palace of HRH Eze Samuel Onuegbu Uguru, Udo Mba I of Mbano Agwa Autonomous Community, Oguta LGA, Imo State.
The remains were subsequently taken to his compound, where they were received by Mr. Golden Nnaemeka Nnanna, the first son, before the lying-in-state.
The funeral Mass was conducted by Fr. Jude Uche at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Uwaorie, and was attended by political officials, religious leaders and traditional rulers.
Among those present were Rt. Hon. Eugene Okechukwu Dibiagwu, member representing Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru-West Federal Constituency; HRH Eze Sir Blaise Ubah (KSJI), Olu Oha II of Mgbala, Agwa Autonomous Community; Prince Malachy Asor, Regent of Obudi-Agwa Ancient Kingdom; Hon. Engr. Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu, serving Member of Oguta State Constituency and APC Candidate for Oguta State Constituency in 2027; Comr. Christian Mike Onyekachi, 2026 APC Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru-West Federal Constituency aspirant and Founder, Liberation Movement; Hon. Ifeanyi Nnani, Executive Chairman, Oguta LGA; Hon. Gerald T. Mgborokwu, former Executive Chairman, Oguta LGA; Hon. Angel Hilary Eberendu, former Transitional Committee Chairman, Oguta LGA; and Hon. Goddy Nwabekee, ADC Oguta State Constituency, 2027.
They all paid tributes to the late Watch Out.
Speaking after the homily by Fr. Jude Uche, Dibiagwu described Watch Out as “a political icon of our time” who made his mark as a leader while alive.
Dibiagwu also donated N2 million to the church building project and announced the award of the Ejemekwuru/Agwa/Obokofia Road by His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodimma, CON.
Nwosu and Nwabekee also described the late Watch Out as a political leader and straightforward man. They condoled with the family and supported the church with N500,000 and N200,000 respectively.
The interment took place at about 1 p.m. at his compound, amid tears and emotional scenes from family members, friends, associates and sympathisers.
The reception later held at the spacious Obeama Agwa Primary School field, which was decorated for the occasion and attracted a large gathering of mourners and dignitaries.
Notable political leaders who graced the reception included Rt. Hon. Nana Opia, former House of Representatives Member, Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru-West Federal Constituency, and Speaker of the 4th Imo State Assembly; Hon. Kyrian Uchegbu, PhD, Federal Commissioner representing Imo State at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); High Chief Joseph Chukwuemeka Ikunna, PDP Candidate for Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru-West Federal Constituency; and Dr. (Mrs.) Vivian Oti, PDP Candidate for Oguta State Constituency.
Others were Very Rev. Fr. Hygenus Ogbonna; Hon. Goddy Esom Obodo; Bethel Nzimako, Esq.; Hon. Williams Ezeikpe Ejiako; Emeka Nze Ojure, Oguta LGA PDP Chairman; Hon. Collins Ughala; Hon. Modestus Nwamkpa; Hon. Ugo Collins Jumbo; Hon. Obed O. Obed; Oguta APC Party Chairman, Mr. Bede Ayo; Comr. Jeff Nwaoha; Engr. Sammy Black; Hon. Christian Okoro Ogbonna, Councillor, Obudi/Aro Ward; Hon. Solomon Ikechukwu Awuzie, Councillor, Uwaorie Ward; Hon. Udochukwu Ogbonnaya Barry, Councillor, Mgbala/Ubah Ward; and Mr. Desmond Orum, APC Secretary, Oguta LGA, among other leaders and eminent personalities.
The late Hon. Ethelbert Nnanna Nze was a prominent administrator and politician in Oguta and Imo State. His public service began at the defunct Environmental Sanitation Authority, Aba, Abia State, where he worked as a cashier from 1982 to 1988.
Following the creation of Abia State on August 27, 1991, he moved to Imo State to work with Ada Palm Nigeria Limited, where he rose through the positions of Storekeeper, Account Clerk and Purchasing Officer to become Administrative Manager between 2000 and 2003.
Politically, Nnanna was a member of the 4th Assembly of the Imo State House of Assembly under the administration of Chief Achike Udenwa from 2003 to 2007 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He was later appointed Transitional Committee Chairman of Oguta Local Government Area during the tenure of Chief Ikedi Ohakim as Governor of Imo State and subsequently appointed Special Assistant to the Governor on Contact and Mobilization.
Before his death, Watch Out held the position of Traditional Prime Minister (TPM) of Mbano Agwa Autonomous Community.
The burial brought together people across political, traditional, religious and community circles, underscoring the significance of the late Watch Out’s relationships and public service across Oguta and Imo State.
He was also remembered as the Igidimba I of Agwa Clan.
