Owerre Ogbozalla Village in Opi, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, is set for a solemn gathering as family, friends, associates and well-wishers converge to pay their final respects to Late Mr. Jonas Chukwuemeka Ugwu, whose passing has left a deep void in the hearts of many.
Popularly described by loved ones as gentle, Jonas Ugwu died on Friday, January 9, 2026, after a brief illness. He was 59 years old.
Jonas, the son of Late Chief Simeon Ugwu of Owerre Ogbozalla Village, is remembered as a devoted husband, brother, uncle and in-law whose life revolved around family and community. His passing has drawn tributes from far and near, particularly from friends within Nsukka cultural circles and beyond.
According to the funeral programme released by the family, activities will commence on Friday, February 20, 2026, with a wake keep at 5:00 p.m., lasting till dawn at Owerre Ogbozalla Village, Opi.
The wake is expected to feature tributes, prayers, hymns and cultural elements that reflect the rich heritage of the Nsukka people.
On Saturday, February 21, 2026, the body will depart Faith Foundation Hospital, Nsukka, to his hometown in Opi.
The Burial Mass is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. in his compound, in line with the family’s deep Catholic faith and tradition. Interment will follow immediately after the Mass.
A reception will hold afterwards at St. Charles Catholic Church Field, Opi, where guests will be hosted in what organizers describe as a modest but well-coordinated gathering to celebrate his life.
St. Charles Parish along Enugu Road Opi
(The surrounding field is the venue of the funeral reception)
The burial is also drawing attention because of Jonas Ugwu’s strong ties to the respected Mba family of Umuafia Village in Ejuona Orba Community, Udenu Local Government Area.
His wife, Mrs. Udodilim Ugwu (née Mba), is the younger sister of Chief (Dr.) Charles Mba, the Egbeigwe I of Orba, a prominent businessman and the MD/CEO of the CDV Group. Chief Mba is widely known for his entrepreneurial footprint and philanthropic engagements across Enugu State and beyond.
Chief (Dr.) Charly Mbah
(Egbeigwe I of Orba Udulekenyi)
Founder/CEO, CDV Properties
Another key figure in the preparations is Hon. Chief Chimezie F. Mba, Managing Director of 34V Engineering Ltd and younger brother to Egbeigwe I. Family sources say he has been actively coordinating logistics and ensuring that arrangements for the obsequies proceed seamlessly.
In solidarity, friends and associates of the Mba family from Orba, Nsukka and other parts of the State are expected to attend in large numbers. Invitations were sent out to business associates, political allies and community leaders, urging them to join the family in Opi as their in-law makes his final journey home.
Hon. Chimezie Mbah
Managing Director, 34V Engineering Company
Observers say the burial will not only reflect personal grief but also the strength of inter-community bonds between Opi and Orba, a reminder that marriage ties often deepen relationships between towns in Nsukka cultural heritage.
In a moving radio obituary announcement aired ahead of the funeral, the family captured the emotional weight of the loss:
“Life is truly a journey… and the candle of a great man has gone out.”
The message ended with a simple but powerful farewell: “Sleep on… your memories will never die.”
May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.
© The Concourse Media.
