Get Guardian on GoogleBy Victor Eromosele
What a very gloomy day Sunday November 1, 2026, proved to be, as an energetic and colourful personality bowed out. By the next day, when the news filtered out to his friends, including this writer and former colleagues, they were in an absolute shock. It is difficult to come to terms with the fact that the affable Olorogun Edoreh Ejenavi Agbah, ksc, jp, the Ugbugba R’Ovie of Ughelli, had indeed passed away in his hometown, Eruemukohwarien, near Ughelli in Delta State. Shakespeare was right when he described life as a “walking shadow.”
When those we know well pass away, it is time for sober reflection. One is reminded of a quote by the famous scientist, Albert Eistein: “Strive not to be a success, but rather of value.”
In the case of Edoreh, he was both. Not only was he an unqualified success in life, however evaluated, he turned out an unqualified value to his community, his industry and the wider society.
He had a 34-year career with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and rose to the position of General Manager, External Relations at Brass LNG Limited, an NNPC affiliate, to which he was seconded and retired in 2012.
Of special mention, is the fact that in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, he was a member of the team under the charismatic Public Relations Doyen, late Ogbuefi Alex Nwokedi when he held sway over, in what arguably, was the “golden age” of NNPC’s Group Public Affairs Division. Imbued with rare creativity, resourcefulness and unparalleled zeal, Edoreh was the media relations chap who managed special projects at the Division during critical times in the Corporation’s chequered history. He subsequently became an anchorman for Nwokedi’s successor, the towering ex-broadcaster, Edem Duke.
When in 2003, Funsho Kupolokun became helmsman at the NNPC, he looked no further than Edoreh Agbah to help him champion the nationwide fuel subsidy campaign and the need for downstream deregulation at the time.
Producer of the epic oil industry television documentary, Petroleum Perspective – that ran for nearly a decade – Edoreh was an outstanding thought leader. This writer served as one of the resource persons when the TV documentary ran.
Not surprising when in 1994, in this writer’s capacity as editor of a major industry reference work, he co-opted Edoreh as a member of the Advisory Board that midwifed the publication. The authoritative 560-page compendium was published late 1997, Nigerian Petroleum Business: A Handbook. Edoreh was one of the 30 contributors to the work and had two articles that still make interesting reading nearly three decades on. He contributed Article 5: “Future of the Oil and Gas industry” and Article 14: “Petroleum Subsidy – Illusion or Realities?”
In Article 5, Edoreh proved an optimist. He wrote: “Nigeria has on ground and on the drawing board enough projects, activities, policies and proposals to guarantee the petroleum industry a bright future.”
Unfortunately, today’s realities may have betrayed his optimism three decades ago.
Equally instructive are his views on a still relevant subject in Article 14. He pointed to an 18-fold increase in gasoline prices between 1991 and 1994, when PMS was a mere N11.00/litre.
He wrote: “Prior to 1987, the (subsidy) phenomenon was not prominent. Massive depreciation and devaluation of the naira … central to issue of subsidy.” The ideas are spot on and relevant even after three decades.
Beyond being socially active, Edoreh was a consummate community leader. In addition to holding many chieftaincy titles in recognition of his massive community contributions, he frequently spent time at his native Eruemukohwarien. He regularly commuted between Lagos and the Delta, not discouraged by twice being a victim of hostage-taking.
Asked why despite the risks, he is so committed to his frequent home visits, he said: “Nothing gives me more happiness than being with my people.” He displayed rare courage in confronting all situations he needed to contend with.
Yet he created quality time for his family and visited them frequently wherever in the world they lived.
The quintessential PR man evolved with time and he loved 21st century social media – almost with a teenager’s passion – and lived his digital life like an open book. His zest for life was truly infectious.
Imagine two septuagenarians and former colleagues not only enjoying lunch together and reliving their past, in a Knightsbridge, London restaurant; they soon for pleasant hours walked through two Kensington Museums. That happened Summer 2025. But who could see the future? Edoreh was so thrilled by that experience. This writer still pictures the incredible excitement in his face. How timely that reunion was.
At this sad moment, our hearts and prayers go out to his dear wife, Joy, and his adult children. Unforgettable Edoreh will remain a huge loss to his community, his country and the world at large. Truly, he would be sorely missed.
Eromosele lives in Lagos.
