At MINA-Online, as part of our Advocacy for Made-In-Nigeria, we will be profiling some exemplary Nigerians as our Ambassador of the week. The idea is to celebrate our living Ambassadors, projecting the best of Nigeria to the world. We understand that the world is readily available to report our negatives, we must make a conscious effort on our part to project your positives to the world.
Our Made-In-Nigeria Ambassador of the week, Chief Dele Momodu (Bob Dee) celebrated his 60th birthday on Saturday, May 16, 2020; we are pleased to acknowledge this achievement for a man that is no doubt a role model to millions of Nigerians, an icon that has devoted the better part of his professional life celebrating the success of others.
Chief Dele Momodu (born Ayòbámidélé Àbáyòmí Ojútelégàn Àjàní Momodu; 16 May 1960) is a Nigerian journalist/publisher, businessman, and motivational speaker. He is the CEO and publisher of Ovation International, a magazine that has given publicity to people from all over the world, mainly in Africa.
A true achiever in the media industry, in 2015, he officially launched Ovation TV and subsequently launched an online newspaper called The Boss. Momodu has received hundreds of awards and honors for his work in the world of business, politics, literature, the music industry, and the fashion industry. He writes a weekly column called “PENdulum”, published every Saturday on the back page of Thisday newspaper. The articles are praised for highlighting issues in Nigeria, as well as discussing popular topics, current events, and notable people, often in a polemic/critical style.
A graduate of the University of Ife, (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) 1982, Dele Momodu holds a degree in Yoruba and a master’s degree in English Literature (1988). He lectured at the Oyo State College of Arts and Science in Ile-Ife, between 1982 and 1983 while on National Service. Between 1983 and 1985, he was private secretary to the former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Chief Akin Omoboriowo. In 1986, Momodu served the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, managing the Motel Royal Limited owned by the monarch. Following Momodu’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 an honorary doctorate degree (Ph.D.) from the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana, earning him the title “Doctor of Humane Letters”.
In May 1988, Dele Momodu got his first job as Staff Writer with African Concord magazine, owned by late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola. A year later, Momodu was transferred to Weekend Concord as a pioneer staff. He wrote the first cover story for the paper in March 1989. He also contributed to other publications such as the National Concord, Sunday Concord, Business Concord, and the Yoruba newspaper Isokan. In May 1989, he became Literary Editor, within six months he became News Editor of the Weekend Concord. Between May 1990 and September 1991 he edited May Ellen Ezekiel’s Classique, a celebrity magazine, an appointment that made him the highest-paid editor in Nigeria. He resigned and tried his hand at doing business as a bread distributor for his mentor Chief Moshood Abiola, who owned “Wonderloaf”. Following this, 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.
Chief Momodu started Ovation International in 1996 while in exile. After the death of Abiola in prison, and the subsequent death of his persecutor, Sani Abacha, Momodu ended his exile. Since then, he has expanded Ovation International, and it is now one of Africa’s most popular celebrity magazines. Ovation International is also reputed to be the only bi-lingual magazine in Africa, having editions printed in both English and French.
Dele Momodu has held an annual event since 2008, known as the Ovation Red Carol (later changed to Ovation Carol and Awards). 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.
On 19 December 1992, Dele married his wife Mobolaji Abiodun Momodu. They have four children: Pekan (born 1994), Yole (born 1996), Eniafe (born 1997), and Korewa (born 2004).
@MINA-Online we celebrate our Made-In-Nigeria Ambassador of the Week, Chief Dele Momodu.