As the porous security situation in the country took its toll on the Nigeria’s advertising industry yesterday with brutal murder of the MD/CEO, Eminent Communications and Board Chairman, Ekiti State Radio/Television, Sesan Ogunro, leading practitioners are finding it difficult to come to term with the harsh reality of the sudden demise of this astute professional.
Ogunro who was shot dead in Lagos Sunday night was said to have attended a church service was killed in the presence of his family around Marwa Gardens in Ikeja, Lagos, shortly after leaving Church where they attended a Christmas carol service as Chairman.
Easy going and witty, Ogunro alongside with Mr. Biodun Shobanjo and others, changed the business of marketing communications when they all resigned from Grant Advertising to float Insight Communications Limited in January 1980.
He later left to establish Eminent Advertising in 1982.
Reacting to the news, Lolu Akinwunmi, Chairman, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) and Group CEO, Prima Garnet Advertising describes Ogunro as a friend of all. “I find this difficult to believe when I was called earlier today but the Registrar/CEO, Alhaji Bello Kankarofi was able to confirm it. It’s so sad”
The APCON Chairman blamed ugly occurrence on the insecurity in the nation. “You can imagine church of all places, it means nowhere is safe”
For the Mrs Bunmi Oke, President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) who is currently out of the country, Sesan Ogunro has been a dear member of the AAAN and the APCON where he served on different committees and panels – he was the Chairman of the Advertising Standard Panel (ASP). He was a well respected senior professional also loved by all. “I have a lot of regards for him, I call him “egbon”. Always ready to assist and serve the association in whatever capacity”. To say the least, she concludes, this is a great loss, shocking to entire the industry and the country. “We should all pray to God to guide us against this callous and senseless wastage of human lives”
Yomi Fadairo, Media Director, Eminent Communications, he says about his boss, “he was an easy going, jovial person. He can’t hurt a fly. Although he has his own short-comings like every mortal being, he was a caring and wonderful person to be with. The circumstance of his death is still baffling. We really do not know what to think, was it a case of robbery or assassination? No one knows but all the same “It’s a terrible incident” he concludes.
Similarly, Sanmi Omiata, an Executive Director with Eminent Communications was short of words. Mr. Omiata who has been with the agency for over two decades says . “Let’s talk say tomorrow morning” He pleaded.
When contacted on phone Mr. Biodun Shobanjo who worked with Ogunro during most of his younger days first at Grand Advertising and later as his employer at Insight. was visibly distraught. “Sorry, I can’t give any comment. I am not in the frame of mind at all”, he quipped.
Similarly, Jimi Awosika in his terse response to our text says “Sad. Very sad. I am still in shock”.
These could be understandable as these gentlemen and leaders of the industry worked closely with the deceased both in Grant Advertising and while he worked with them as one of the pioneer and revolutionary force that worked with Insight communications.
The sad occurrence happened while the robbers wanted to take possession of his Prado Jeep, he was said not to have posted any opposition but all the same he was shot righty in the chest. Thereafter, he was rushed to the nearest hospital where he died at 12.30am.
The Divisional Police Office at Alausa, Ajao Adewale, a Chief Superintendent of Police, confirmed that a man was shot at 10.20 p.m. yesterday at Alausa. He added that his vehicle was snatched by his attackers. “We don’t know him but we have commenced investigations into the attack,” he added.
The atmosphere at his home on Atinuke Ologunde Crescent, Ogudu GRA, Lagos was filled with gloom as sympathizers trickled in to condole with the wife of the deceased.
Ogunro was a fellow of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON. He was one-time Chairman of APCON’s Advertising Standards Panel, ASP, and Chairman of APCON’s Membership & Privileges Committee. The deceased was also the Chairman of Professional Practice Committee of Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN. Ogunro was survived by many children including talented music video director, Sesan Ogunro Jnr., Timayo Ogunro and Beat 99.9FM On-Air-Personality, Fade Ogunro.{fcomment}