Bashorun Dele Momodu

Dele Momodu (Ayòbámidélé Àbáyòmí Ojútelégàn jàní Momodu) is a Nigerian journalist/publisher, businessman, philanthropist, actor and motivational speaker — born on the 16th of May 1960. Dele Momodu is one of the richest and most popular Nigerian Journalist and the CEO and publisher of Ovation International, a magazine that has given publicity to people from all over the world, mainly in Africa.

Dele Momodu was able to rise and become one Of Nigeria’s most respected Journalists despite his rough beginning. He passed through hell while growing up the exact kind of unfortunate situation that would make a lot of people want to give up on life and curse the heavens for meting out ill-luck on them. In 1995, he was arrested and abandoned for speaking his mind and propagating the creed of democracy. He was imprisoned for a long time where he remained in a dark cell thinking his creator has abandoned him to die. Looking at Dele Momodu today, it is very obvious that a lot of thing has changed in his life . He is refined; a Nigerian journalist/publisher, polemicist, businessman, philanthropist, actor and motivational speaker. Most of all, he is a conqueror and this is the story of how he became that person.

In 2015, he officially launched Ovation TV and subsequently launched an online newspaper called The Boss. Momodu has received numerous awards and honours for his work in the world of business, politics, literature, the music industry and the fashion industry. He is is the writer of a weekly column called “PENdulum”, published every Saturday on the back page of Thisday newspaper. A lot of people has expressed satisfaction about the article for highlighting issues in Nigeria, as well as discussing popular topics, current events and notable people, often in a polemic/critical style. Through PENdulum, Momodu became a prominent voice for the APC presidential candidate at the 2015 general election in Nigeria – the current president Muhammadu Buhari.

Early Life, Background, Career And Education
Ayobamidele, meaning “my joy has followed me home”, is the last of three siblings. He lost his father at an early age when he was just 13 years old this time he was only relying on his mother and other relatives for support. As a close child to his mother, he was able to learn things very fast before his mother later passed on 18 May 2007. From this point thing began to fall apart for him because there was no body there again to care for him as everyone has written him off. She had given him up to a third chance at passing his WAEC (Senior Secondary Exams). Although his mother’s source of income was from petty trading, and she had two older children to care for, she laboured hard to sustain her family, and in the words of Momodu, “She didn’t give up on me.”

Dele Momodu graduated from University of Ife, (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) 1982, obtaining a degree in Yoruba and a master’s degree in English Literature in 1988. After completing his studies , he worked as a lecturer at the Oyo State College of Arts and Science in Ile-Ife, between 1982 to 83 while on National Service. Between 1983 to 1985, he was private secretary to the former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Chief Akin Omoboriowo. In 1986, Dele Momodu served the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, managing the Motel Royal Limited owned by the monarch. Following Dele’s resignation from the Motel Royal, he went on to study for his post-graduate degree in English literature. He was during this time contributing articles to the likes of The Guardian, Sunday Tribune and other Nigerian-based publications.

On 30 July 2016, Dele was awarded with an honorary doctorate degree (PhD) from the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana, earning him the title “Doctor of Humane Letters”. His career officially kicked off in May 1988, when he got his first job as Staff Writer with the African Concord magazine, owned by late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola. A year later, he was transferred to Weekend Concord as a pioneer staff. He wrote the first cover story for the paper in March 1989. He has contributed to several publication including National Concord, Sunday Concord, Business Concord and the Yoruba newspaper, Isokan just to mention a few.

In May 1989, he became Literary Editor, within six months he became News Editor of the Weekend Concord. Between May 1990 and September 1991 edited May Ellen Ezekiel’s Classique, a celebrity magazine an appointment which made him the highest paid editor in Nigeria. He resigned and tried his hands on doing business as a bread distributor for his mentor Chief Moshood Abiola, who owned the ‘Wonderloaf’. Following this, Dele Momodu started a public relations outfit, Celebrities-Goodwill Limited, which managed the accounts of Chief Moshood Abiola, Dr Mike Adenuga, Mr Hakeem Belo-Osagie and other distinguished Nigerians.

He finally resigned in 1993 and joined Moshood Abiola Presidential Campaign Organization, Dele Momodu was arrested and detained at Alagbon Close in Lagos, after the annulment of the 12 June Presidential election by General Ibrahim Babangida. He was being punished for speaking his mind and propagating the creed of democracy. Despite undergoing a severe punishment his ambition remained undeterred as his determination was too strong. He was accused of being one of the brains behind the pirate radio station, Radio Freedom later changed to Radio Kudirat, after the cold-blooded murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola. He disguised as a local farmer and was able to escape through Seme border into Cotonou, in Benin Republic, from where he fled to Togo, Ghana and eventually settled in the United Kingdom. He was unable to come back to Nigeria after three years , he was later absolved of all charges made by the Abacha administration.

Dele Momodu started Ovation International in 1996 while still in exile. After the death of MKO Abiola in prison and subsequently, the death of his persecutor, Sani Abacha, that was the end of his fugitive life . Since then, Dele has expanded Ovation International, and it is now one of Africa’s most popular celebrity magazines. Ovation International is also reputed for being the only bi-lingual magazine in Africa, having editions printed in both English and French. He has held an annual event every year since 2008 known as the Ovation Red Carol (later changed to Ovation Carol and Awards), this event didn’t hold in 2010 due to the impending presidential elections. The Red Carol is held every December, and has become one of West Africa’s most popular annual Christmas events, often involving musical performances, drama, fashion shows and award presentations for varying charitable causes. The event was always held in Lagos, Nigeria , but was held in Accra, Ghana in December 2013. The one that was held in 2013 had some popular personalities in attendance, former president of Ghana J.J. Rawlings was there and Wyclef Jean, M.I, Ice Prince and Burna Boy from Nigeria also performed at the event.

Dele Momodu was the Presidential Candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) on 12 January 2011. He contested and won the primaries between Dele Momodu, Chief Martin Onovo and Atei Beredugo. He polled 169 votes to clinch the presidential ticket, whilst Onovo and Beredugo polled 8 and 14 votes respectively.

Dele Momodu Family — Wife And Children
Dele Momodu is married to Mobolaji and their union is blessed with four children . It is pretty safe to say that Mr Momodu has benefited from the true meaning of his first name, Ayobamidele which, as Yoruba elders would tell you, means ‘my joy has followed me home’. Dele married his wife Mobolaji Abiodun Momodu on the 19th of December 1992, their four children are Pekan (1994), Yole (1996), Eniafe (1997) and Korewa (2004). He is a wealthy man with a robust tummy and wide grin, you see a very joyous man.