Fayemi, Fashola, Adelabu, Others Pay Last Tribute To Ogunro, Advertising Guru

L-R: Son of deceased, Mr. Sesan Ogunro (JR); widow, Mrs. Dupe Ogunro; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), during the Funeral Service of Late Sasan Ogunro at Hillview Estate, Ogudu, Lagos.

The remains of Advertising guru and  Chairman of the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State, Mr Sesan Ogunro, were committed to  other earth in Lagos on Friday, as dignitaries including Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof. Modupe Adelabu and former Governor of the State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo among others paid their last respects.

The interment which was strictly a private affair came after the funeral service which took place at  the Close D Grounds, Ogudu GRA, attended by family members, top government officials  and colleagues in the advertising industry.

 In his sermon at the service, Evang. Chris Ogbonaya of the International Church of Christ, described the deceased as an easy-going, humble and friendly man who was always ready to contribute to the progress of people around him.

The cleric who added that the deceased would be greatly missed by family, friends and acquaintances urged everyone to take solace in the hope that the late Ogunro is resting in the bosom of God.

 The Cleric who took his sermon from the book of 1 Corinthians 15, urged Christians to always have the end in mind and strife always to peace at fellow human beings.

 Saying that the deceased lived a life of service, Evang Ogbonaya said Mr Ogunro always had a smile and a good word for everyone around him, adding that he brought his professional expertise to bare on the church activities and programmes, including the design and production of the church hymn book.

Governor Fayemi who was apparently weighed down by the burden of grief, declined remarks on the deceased.

Lamenting the passage of Ogunro in the tribute earlier written, Fayemi said the deceased was a thoroughbred Ekiti son who was always ready to contribute his expertise to any course aimed at improving the lots of the Nigerian populace, especially in redeeming “the desolation of our land and generation”.

The Governor who disclosed that Ogunro played a crucial role in actualising his gubernatorial ambition added that the deceased lived well and has left behind a legacy in the pursuit of the common good having positively touched lives.

Fayemi expressed sorrow at the tragic demise of the communication guru, stressing that Nigerians need to reflect on the future of the “country which makes itself a ready venue for tragedy and despair” by wasting “its best and brightest to random violence and senseless killings”.

“Uncle Sesan put the entire human and material resources of his full service agency, Eminent Communications at the disposal of our campaign. He gave our briefs priority, far above other high budget blue chip clients. More so he led his team from the front, rolling up his sleeves and spending long hours into the night helping us to develop a most compelling campaign.

“This was consistent with his pedigree as arguably the most accomplished political communications expert in the country who leveraged our brief by availing his experience working on high profile campaigns such as MKO Abiola’s presidential campaign, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s governorship campaign, Governor Babatunde Fashola’s governorship campaign to mention a few. He was one of the finest copy writers Nigeria has ever produced and was very well respected within his professional circles”, he said.

Earlier at a service of song held for the deceased on Thursday, Gov Fashola had given a graphical details of how the late Ogunro was drafted by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to help in him in the campaign strategy for the 2007 election, stressing that his inclusion n the team brought a dramatic turn around of the campaign.

He said the late Ogunro was also involved in the 2011 re-election campaign, adding that he was responsible for some brilliant campaign advertisements in the two elections. “he is simply unforgettable. Exceptionally creative and unarguably one of the best in the industry”, he said.

Last modified: January 10, 2014