Dr. Emmanuel Sunny Ojeagbase, founder and executive chairman of Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspapers, SuccessDigest and other online publications, has passed on to Glory.
He died on Saturday, 26 February, 2022 in Atlanta, United States of America (USA) after a brief illness. He was 71 years.
Dr. 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.
Before then, he was a retired soldier of the Nigerian Army who cut his teeth in sports journalism as a stringer at the Daily Times newspapers in the mid-1970s. Through sheer talent, determination and hard work, Ojeagbase blossomed very quickly and was appointed sports editor of Sunday Concord newspapers at inception in 1980 and sports editor of The Guardian newspapers also at inception in 1983. He resigned from The Guardian in 1984 to pursue his dream as an entrepreneur.
Between 1984 and 1994, Ojeagbase introduced several other pioneering sports titles including Complete Football magazine, Complete Football International (CFI) and International Soccer Review (ISR) into the Nigerian sports market. Remarkably, the Complete Football titles played very prominent roles in ensuring Nigeria’s first appearance at the FIFA World Cup at USA 1994 as well as the country’s football Gold medal win at the Atlanta ’96 Olympic Games also in the USA. Between those two historic events in Nigerians sports, Ojeagbase introduced Complete Sports as the Number One daily sports newspaper in Nigeria in 1995.
Also Read: Ojeagbase Bags Iconic Honour At 2022 Sportsville Special Recognition Awards
Also in 1994, Ojeagbase co-founded with his wife, Pastor (Mrs) Esther Ojeagbase, the Success Attitude Development Centre (SADC) with a vision and mission to teach young Nigerian entrepreneurs how to start, run and make a success of their businesses. SADC has gone on to produce and inspire thousands of successful entrepreneurs who are protégés of the Ojeagbase’s and many of whom are now employers of labour.
Dr. Ojeagbase was ordained as a Pastor in March 2003 and he preached the message of God in words and in deeds to everyone who encountered him. His mantra was to do business and live life with the fear of God, integrity, compassion and peace of mind. He was a totally self-made man who was passionate about acquiring knowledge as attested to by a huge library filled with books on business management, leadership, entrepreneurship and related fields. He had a Diploma in Journalism from the University of Lagos, but he was conferred with a honorary Doctorate degree by a different institution for his accomplishments as an entrepreneur. He also received tons of awards and recognitions for his contributions to sports journalism, publishing, business mentorship and entrepreneurship.
Pastor Ojeagbase was a rallying point for members of his immediate and extended families and also a benefactor to thousands of people. He created and facilitated breakthrough opportunities and jobs for young journalists and contemporaries alike. His generosity and philanthropy was limitless. He was completely detribalized and, despite being a Pastor, was extremely tolerant and unbiased to people of other faiths. He was a good man at heart and a great man in achievements.
Pastor, Dr. Sunny Emmanuel Ojeagbase is survived by his wife, Pastor (Mrs) Esther Ojeagbase, his children both biological and adopted, as well as grandchildren and other relatives. He will also be sorely missed by friends, mentees and business associates.
Condolence registers have been opened at Complete Sports headquarters at Plot 9, Alhaji Adenekan Street, Okota, Lagos; and at SADC headquarters, No. 36, Esuola Street, Off Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos.
Burial arrangements will be announced by the family.
19 Comments
R.I.P PAPA
May his soul rest in the bossom of the lord
Sleep on sir!
You lived the life; you played your part; may you Rest In Peace, Amen.
Rest in Peace sir. My thoughts are with your family who are blessed to have had such a trailblazer in their fold.
Rest in peace sir
Wow! Sunny Ojeagbase, the man who gave us CSN. You lived a fulfilled life, although you passed away at a rather “young” age of 71. May your soul rest in peace in the bosom of the Lord.
Sad a huge loss..may you reside with the lord in his bossom and may God give your loved ones you left behind the fortitude to bear this great loss!
RIP LEGEND!!!
Great man, thank God for life well spent. Continue to sleep well Sir.
May his soul Rest in Peace.
Rest in peace Dr. Emmanuel Ojeagbese.
A star has fallen from the skies. Oh death, where art thine sting…?!
The Earth has lost a legend, the heavens have gained an angel.
Adieu senior…!
Sleep on, Oga S.O.
I remember that day in 1994 when I took from my school fees to buy an edition of Complete Soccer, an colour, full dossier on Nigerian players abroad. My dad almost killed me that day. Lol… Memories. There was nothing like that magazine at that time , kudos to his editor then, Abdumumuni.
May his soul rest in peace.
You have touched the hearts of many Ooo Pa Emmanuel Ojeagbase. Lots of respect n I truly appreciate. May you sleep in peace while waiting for THAT GREAT DAY TO WEAR YOUR GLORIOUS BODY.
A glorious call to the Almighty, a life well spent. RIP Dr. Emmanuel S. Ojeagbese.
RIP and thanks for given us an escape route when Kickoff Nigeria stopped us from expressing ourselves on their chat room back then. Than you.
A great man indeed. Rest on in His bosom as your legacies live on. We are grateful to God for using you to make a mark in your generation.
About twenty years ago, don’t think there was any university lecture room that didn’t have Complete Sports center spreads flying around by 8am.
Complete Football? in the mid 90s, every edition was a collector’s item.
Nigerians do produce individuals with great business sense from time to time.
Adieu christian soldier until Christ’s return.