Ikpeazu dedicates Abia’s 26th anniversary to late Bob Ogbuagu

The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has dedicated the 26th anniversary celebrations of the state to one of its founding fathers, Chief Bob Ogbuagu, OON, who recently passed on at the age of 93.
In a release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, Governor Ikpeazu described the late Dee Bob Ogbuagu as a major driving force of the state.
“I dedicate the celebration of this year’s Abia Day to our just departed foremost father and elder statesman, Sir Bob Ogbuagu (Dee Bob).
“He was a major driving force of this event over several years under the aegis of the Abia State Elders Advisory Council and today, I am sad that he is not here with us as he has been over the years.
“I extend my deepest condolences to his family and assure them that the loss of Dee Bob is not theirs alone but that of the entire State who have lost an icon and a father. May his beautiful soul rest in perfect peace.
The doyen of Africa’s Public Relations practitioners who was the President Emeritus of the Federation of African Public Relations Associations (FAPRA now APRA) remained an indomitable PR guru to his last days on earth and also served as a the Deputy Chairman (Administration) of Abia State Elders Advisory Council.
Dee Ogbuagu’s media career spans the broad communication experience in advertising, public relations and newspaper production. After working for John Holt Ltd in 1947, he ventured into journalism and became the publisher and editor of Northern Advocate, a newspaper that was based in Jos. It was there that he joined the Zikist Movement.
The erudite and ever jovial Ogbuagu, armed with qualifications from prestigious institutions abroad, held top positions in the then Eastern Region, the East Central and old Imo states. He was a press officer with the Eastern Region Development Corporation from where he launched himself into public relations, the profession that was after his heart. Cumulatively, he invested more than 63 years in those professions.
Dee Bob was later seconded to the Central Office of Information in London to create public awareness during the civil war.
Chief Ogbuagu was remarkable in government and outstanding in Public Relations and other social engagements.
He was formerly the president of the Institute of Public Relations in Nigeria, president and founder of the Federation of African Public Relations and one and only FAPRA President Emeritus.
He was also a member of the British Institute of Public Relations, Arab Public Relations Association, Nigerian Institute of Directors and Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) who held six different traditional titles. He was also listed in Who is Who in 1980-1981; 1987-1988; and in the Commonwealth (1982); in Africa (1987); and in Nigeria (1990)
In 1995, Dee Ogbuagu at 70 years old accepted the challenge to be Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of Champion Newspapers Ltd and held that position for about 10 years. Ogbuagu was also a director of many companies, including Nigeria Glass Industry in Port Harcourt, Hotel Presidential, Golden Guinea, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Luncheon Vouchers (Nig) Ltd, and Eric Advertising.
Born at Okaiuga Umuahia in Abia State, Dee Bob is married to Madam Cecilia Chinyere Ogbuagu and they have six children, three men and three women as well as many grand children.
May his great soul Rest In Peace.
Enyinnaya Appolos
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
26/08/2017