OLEMBGE, NLEMEDIM, KANAYA, NWOSU, IKPAMEZIE, OBODO ESOMOBODO, EZEDIARO, ASOR, EJIAKO, ADIMELECHI, OTHERS HONOUR LATE NNANNA AT VALEDICTORY SESSION
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Rita Onuoha
The 10th Imo State House of Assembly on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, held a high-profile valedictory session in honour of the late Hon. Chief Sir. Ethelbert Nnanna Nze, popularly known as “Watch Out,” a former member of the House who represented Oguta State Constituency from 2003 to 2007.
The session, held at the Imo State House of Assembly, was presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, and attended by serving and former lawmakers, political associates, community leaders, friends and family members of the deceased from across Imo State and beyond.
In his opening remarks, Rt. Hon. Olemgbe recalled the late Nnanna’s career and public service, including his professional contribution at Ada Palm Nigeria Limited and his legislative service in the Imo State House of Assembly.
The Speaker noted Nnanna’s contributions to legislative business and his representation of the people of Oguta State Constituency between 2003 and 2007 before inviting lawmakers and other dignitaries to share their memories of the deceased.
Speaking after the session, the incumbent member representing Oguta State Constituency, Hon. Engr. Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu, described the late Nnanna as a good man, leader and statesman who personally supported his political career.
Nwosu said Nnanna was among the strong supporters who believed in him during the last two elections, adding that the deceased left behind a legacy of service and straightforwardness. He urged those close to the late lawmaker to preserve the values he stood for.
Former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Imo State, Hon. M. Nlemedim, who attended the event as an indigene of Agwa and a close relation in the community, described Nnanna’s death as a painful loss to Agwa.
Nlemedim recalled the deceased’s various public positions, including his service in the Imo State House of Assembly, as Transition Committee Chairman of Oguta Local Government Area and as a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor. He said his presence at the valedictory session was to identify with the Nnanna family, his former colleagues and the people of Agwa.
Mr. Adimelechi Henry C. PhD, in an emotional tribute, said the death of “Watch Out” had left a personal void in his life. He described the deceased as someone he valued greatly and expressed sympathy to the family while praying for his peaceful repose.
Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie, member representing Mbaitolu State Constituency, recalled meeting Nnanna during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan through Hon. Kyrian Uchegbu, who was then associated with the Niger Delta Development Commission.
Ikpamezie described Nnanna as a forceful yet calm and organised leader who was involved in mobilising people and promoting peace. He recalled the late lawmaker’s efforts to organise meetings and engage stakeholders during challenging periods in the Niger Delta, praying that God would accept his soul and comfort the family.
Hon. Chief Goddy Esom Obodo, PhD, popularly known as the “Prince of the Oil Kingdom,” reflected on his decades-long friendship with Nnanna, saying their relationship extended beyond politics into business and personal ventures.
Obodo recalled that the two men supported each other politically and maintained close personal ties. He described the deceased as a friend and brother whose passing represented a significant personal loss.
Hon. Henry Chinemerem Agbasonu, member representing Ezinihitte Mbaise State Constituency, highlighted Nnanna’s career progression from a staff member of Ada Palm Nigeria Limited to Managing Director, followed by his service as a member of the Imo State House of Assembly and Chairman of Oguta Local Government Area.
Agbasonu described the deceased’s career as reflecting diligence, prudence and leadership, noting that his record of service demonstrated his contribution to his people and Imo State. He prayed for the repose of his soul and comfort for the bereaved family.
Prince Malachy Asor, Regent of Obudi-Agwa Ancient Kingdom, described Nnanna as a prominent son of Agwa, Oguta and Imo State whose contributions extended to politics, administration and community development.
Asor recalled that Nnanna rose from being a staff member of Ada Palm Nigeria Limited to becoming its Managing Director and also served in various public positions. He further noted that the late Nnanna was conferred with the chieftaincy title of “Igidimba I of Agwa” by the Obudi-Agwa Ancient Kingdom in recognition of his commitment to community development.
The session featured tributes and testimonies on Nnanna’s political, professional, humanitarian and community leadership, with speakers recalling his relationships with colleagues, friends, associates and members of his community.
Late Hon. Chief Sir. Ethelbert Nnanna Nze “Watch Out” served as a member of the Imo State House of Assembly representing Oguta State Constituency from 2003 to 2007. He later served as Transition Committee Chairman of Oguta Local Government Area during the administration of Chief Ikedi Ohakim from 2008 to 2010 and also served as a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor.
He was a former Managing Director of Ada Palm Nigeria Limited and former Traditional Prime Minister (TPM) of Mbano Agwa Autonomous Community, Oguta LGA, Imo State, among other government and community responsibilities.
Key dignitaries who attended the valedictory session were Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, representing Obowo Constituency; Hon. Chief Onyemaeche Kanayo, Leader of the House, representing Owerri-West Constituency; Hon. Engr. Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu, House Committee on Finance and Economy, representing Oguta Constituency; Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie, representing Mbaitolu Constituency; Hon. Henry Chinemerem Agbasonu, representing Ezinihitte Mbaise State Constituency; and Hon. Uzoma Francis Osuoha, representing Ohaji-Egbema Constituency.
Others were Hon. M. Nlemedim, former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Imo State; Hon. Goddy Esom Obodo, PhD, former Ohaji-Egbema House Member; Chimere Arizne Obodo, PhD, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Imo State University; Mr. Adimelechi Henry C. PhD; Hon. Henry Ezediaro, former Oguta State Constituency Member; Prince Malachy Asor, Regent of Obudi-Agwa Ancient Kingdom; Hon. Williams Ezeikpe Ejiako, former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Niger Delta Affairs; ASP Iruaku Umezuruike; Engr. Pascal Ekenze Obodo, National Secretary-General, Agwa Central Union (ACU); Mr. Leonard Ajoku, ACU Publicity Secretary; the Publisher of Hero Express Newspaper, Hon. Boniface Esomonu; Mr. Alias Asor (JKJ); staff of the Imo State House of Assembly; and other dignitaries.
The valedictory session ended with further tributes to the late Nnanna, with speakers highlighting his years of public service, political relationships, professional achievements and contributions to community development.
