Buhari mourns Complete Sports publisher, Sunny Ojeagbase

President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the death of founder and Executive Chairman of Complete Communications Ltd., Sunny Emmanuel Ojeagbase.

Buhari, in a condolence message released by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, condoled with the family, friends and professional associates of Ojeagbase.

News of Ojeagbase’s death came in a statement by Mr Julius Ojeagbase on behalf of the family, saying he died on Saturday, February 26 in Atlanta, United States of America (USA), after a brief illness at the age of 71.

Ojeagbase hailed from Uzebba, Iuleha in Owan West of Edo State. Popularly known as Sunny Ojeagbase (or simply “S.O.”) before he added Emmanuel to his names, the late media entrepreneur broke into national consciousness as the pioneer publisher of sports news in Nigeria when he established Sports Souvenir weekly newspaper in 1984.

President Buhari affirmed that Ojeagbase’s vision and diligence transformed sports reporting and inspired a generation of media entrepreneurs.

Buhari in the statement commiserated with his wife and longtime business partner, Pastor Esther Ojeagbase.

He noted her contribution with her husband in publishing, ministration and charity, bringing out many titles such as Complete Football magazine, Complete Football International (CFI), International Soccer Review (ISR) and Success Digest.

The President affirmed that Ojeagbase, who worked for the Daily Times, Concord Newspapers and The Guardian, before pioneering sports news publication in Nigeria in 1984, was also a teacher and preacher of the Word of God.

He further noted that Ojeagbase lived by the tenets of the Holy Bible, greatly motivating others to grow spiritually and apply the principles of honesty, fairness and integrity in business.

The President prayed that almighty God would remember the good works of the media entrepreneur and philanthropist and grant his soul eternal rest.

Apart from his wife, Ojeagbase is also survived by his children, both biological and adopted, as well as grandchildren.