There Goes Dee Bob, Africa’s PR Maestro- A Tribute

Loading

Chief Bob Ogbuagu

Chief Bob Ogbuagu undoubtedly, made bold strides and left prints of his fulfilling footsteps on the sands of time before his recent exit from this planet earth.

Adreesed by the people who crossed his path as Dee Bob, he was the living legend and doyen of African PR practice. Until his demise he was the President Emeritus of the Federation of African Public Relations Associations (FAPRA now APRA) and remained an indomitable PR guru to his last days on earth. He 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). Dee Bob 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. His death has no doubt created a large vacuum in the scheme of advisory and mentorship disposition in his community and Nigeria at large.

May his great soul Rest In Peace.

Share This

Related posts

Leave a Comment