Elder Statesman, Ogbuagu Lived for Humanity, Says Senator Orji

Emmanuel Ugwu, Umuahia

Tributes have continued to pour for elder statesman, Chief Bob Ogbuagu, who passed away at the age of 92 thereby depleting the number of surviving founding fathers of Abia State.

In his tribute the Senator representing Abia Central, senatorial district, Senator Theodore Orji described the late Ogbuagu as an eminent son of Abia, humanist and social activist whose exploits dated back to the First Republic.
Senator Orji, whose outpouring of grief was contained in a statement issued by his media adviser and legislative aide, Mr. Eddie Onuzuruike, said that he received the news with shock.

Late Ogbuagu, who was the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Champion Newspapers, was popularly and fondly addressed as Dee Bob not only in Abia his home state but across the states that make up the Igbo race.

“He lived well and served humanity with all his strength and to the best of his ability,” Orji said, adding that Ogbuagu readily sacrificed his personal comfort and safety in pursuit of those ideals he believed and worked for.

He was a public relations icon and was one of the past presidents of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). He also made his mark as in the Rotary Club International where he once served as Governor of District 911 and was until his death, a Paul Harris Fellow.

Orji further noted that late Ogbuagu not only steeped himself in Rotary principles but also demonstrated those ideals with his life which was a veritable answer to the Rotarian Four Way test.

According to the former Abia governor, the late Ogbuagu spoke the truth, was fair to all and worked hard to build good will and better friendship as well as engaged in promoting those causes that were beneficial to humanity.

The Abia Central senator said that Ogbuagu’s life and death should serve as opportunity for sober reflections as life has its end no matter how long one lived.

“We should examine our lives trying to answer the questions above (the four way test of Rotary Club) while relating with our fellow human beings irrespective of race and creed,” Orji said.

Orji prayed for the eternal repose of Dee Ogbuagu, adding that he would be greatly missed not only in Abia but across the nation where his friends and associates abound.

Related Articles