15th July, 2016
The remains of a former Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dr Nwabu Mgbemena, was on Friday interred at his country home, Obosi, in Anambra.
Mgbemena was also a Mass Communications lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe Univeristy, Awka.
He died of cancer at a hospital in New Jersey, U.S. on April 22, aged 71.
In his tribute, Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra, expressed the state government’s condolences to the family, the people of Obosi and NAN staff over Mgbemena’s demise.
“Very early in life, he showed that he was a man of the people and worked for the people.
“Mgbemena represented more than himself; he was a pioneer in everything- Mass Communications and teaching in Journalism.
“Encomiums poured on him showed that he had achieved a lot. Nigerians will miss him because he died at a time his services were needed most.
“The family and the people of Obosi should know that it was God’s decision; we regret his early departure from earth,” Obiano said.
The governor was represented by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Tony Nnacheta.
In a tribute, the Managing Director of NAN, Mr Bayo Onanuga, expressed sadness over the sudden demise of the late Mgbemena.
“The death of this thoroughbred professional and academic in Journalism has left a very sour taste in our mouths.
“Through his distinguished service as Managing Director of NAN and a lecturer, he has earned the recognition and admiration of many compatriots in Nigeria and beyond.
“We have lost a quintessential jewel at a time when the nation needed his services most and will be greatly missed by Nigerians, especially the media community, where he left an indelible footprint,” Onanuga said.
He described Mgbemena as an “intelligent, sagacious, hard-working, dutiful and highly sociable man, who gave his best to the end in the service of his fatherland”.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, described late Mgbemena as “godly and fatherly’.
“I found him to be very dedicated and conscientious to duty when I worked with him as the Head of Mass Communication Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
“He never liked trouble. If you watched the Facebook interaction of students, they are really mourning him to show that the department will miss him so much,” Omenugha said.
In his message, the Chairman of Orient Newspapers, Mr Godwin Ezeemo, said that late Mgbemena had lived a good life and achieved greatness as NAN MD.
“It is by no means a great achievement. It shows in life that when one works hard, some sort of joy awaits him; Mgbemena has actually achieved all,” Ezeemo said.
Earlier in a sermon titled “The End”, Rev. Chinedu Okeke, charged Christians and those in leadership positions to realise that every beginning has an end.
“Anyone who knows that there is an end to anything, will know how to handle things properly.
“Those in power today, therefore, should know that there will be an end someday.”
Okeke, who drew his biblical references from Luke 16vs22 and Ecclesiastes 7vs 8, said Christians should prove their Christianity by faith and light.
“Make your decision while alive on where you want to be after death because the opportunity you have today is a gift from God; don’t waste it.
“Mgbemena has come, gave his best through his profession to humanity.”
NAN reports that the burial ceremony will end on July 17 with a thanksgiving service at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Obosi.
Born on March 29, 1945, the late Mgbemena attended Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS), Onitsha, and obtained a Masters’ Degree in Journalism at University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and a Doctorate in Journalism from Texas Southern University, U.S.