The founder and Chairman of Onward Stationery Stores Limited and Onward Paper Mill, Chief M.A. Obagun, has dead at the age of 91.
Onward Stationery is one of the foremost makers of stationery in Nigeria that trades in varieties of papers, paper-boards Such as Maniila, white Lined Chipboard, Pelican Paper, Bank Paper, etc
Late Chief Obagun died in the early hours of Tuesday at the age of 91 and was buried on Tuesday evening according to Muslim rite.
Chief M.O Obagun established Onward Stationery Stores in 1953, as a retail outlet for paper, stationery supplies and writing accessories. With time, the business expanded. He started trading paper just after leaving school, at first buying locally, before he began wholesale imports, from a Norwegian company abroad.
Several years later, he decided to set up a plant producing large paper rolls, and newsprint for the print media. That plant was incorporated in 1972, and became known as Onward Paper Mill Limited (OPM). It was the very first indigenous paper converter to manufacture and market top quality stationery in Nigeria.
From pioneering paper conversion and manufacture of top quality paper products, OPM has become a leading name in the Paper/print product manufacturing sector of the nation. It is currently Nigeria’s largest paper mill.
The firm’s manufacturing capabilities are complimented by an ability to provide contract based consultancy services in print/paper inventory and logistics. They also manage their clients’ print requirements including requisite analysis, annual projections, customization and brand enhancement, production, warehousing and even delivery to different locations, as indicated. They have in-house consultants who ensure that clients have a well-balanced, consistent print and paper product inventory process.
OPM’s uncompromising standards are based on quality, competitive pocket friendly prices and timely delivery, all in one neat customer-friendly package. Today, Chief M.O Obagun’s son Kunle Obagun, sits at the helm of affairs at the OPM factory in Oregun in Lagos, as the Executive Vice-Chairman, to preserve the legacy of good business that his father started, and take it to greater heights.
Besides being a successful entrepreneur, the deceased was passionate about environmental sustainability and innovation, prompting him to support the forestry policy to ensure the renewal of depleted resources.
He was also known for helping the less privileged in the society by providing jobs to young people through his businesses and delivering gifts to vulnerable people.
Chief Obagun also donated millions of naira to various educational, health, religious, and social causes across the country.
He was born in Poka, Epe of Lagos State and is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and siblings.
A comment on internet about the deceit of Chief M.O Obagun reads “If you attended school in Nigeria around the 80s and 90s, I am sure you used one of his exercise books with the following acronyms”
O – Ole
N – Ni
W – Wale
A – Aji
R – Ruler
D – Dada
B – Baba
I – Iya
G – Gani
E – Ede
X – Xtimes
E – Ede
R – Remi
C – Coni
I – Iya
S – Segun
E – Elere
B – Boolu
O – Odabo
O – Odabo
K – Kayode
