Dele Momodu Bags Prestigious Value Leadership Award

By Eric Elezuo

As expected, one of Nigeria’s most travelled celebrity and Chief Executive Officer, Ovation Media Group, Aare Dele Momodu, has bagged yet another award, an addition to his array of landmark awards and honours.

This time, the recently installed Akinrogun of Gbonganland, who is also the Aare of Iwoland, was honoured with the Prestigious Value Leadership award by an organisation, Nigeria, which is a subsidiary of Moonlite Integrated Concept.

Presenting the award the event, which was at the Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Pastor Henry Emineke, described Momodu as one of the individuals, who have ‘demonstrated exceptional dedication to their fields, and have made notable impacts on the social fabrics of our nation’.

He praised Momodu for his admirable efforts, which have not gone unnoticed, adding that honoring him is crucial for inspiring positive change.

To spice up the night of accolades, which was anchored by MC Prince, was a presentation of ‘Nigeria’, a stage, which raised hopes of Nigerians in the Nigerian project, denouncing the ‘japa’ syndrome, as well as performances from Timi Dakolo, Ashley Olabisi and Bashiru Mohammed.

Other individuals that were also honoured on the night include Hon. Stella Okotete
Pastor John Obuseh, Rebecca Odumbaku Captain Ado sanusi, Ali Baba and
Ambassador Okpokome Ibru.

Dele Momodu, without an iota of doubt stands tall among those who have been diligent in businesses, and it is therefore, no surprise that he has stood, and is still standing not just before kings but with kings.

Born Ayòbámidélé Àbáyòmí Ojútelégàn Àjàní Momodu on May 16, 1960, some 63 years ago, Chief Dele Momodu as he is known in the business circle, and Bob Dee, in the social stage, is by every standard a man who is diligent in his business. And it is no wonder that he has not only stood before kings, he had and continues to dine with kings. There is practically no influential person that Dele Momodu does not know across the length and breadth of Nigeria, Africa and on the inter-continental stage. He is that large!

By every standard a rare breed, Momodu is many things in one; journalist/publisher, businessman, philanthropist, actor, politician and motivational speaker. Among all these he considers himself simply as a reporter, and even with a retinue of seasoned staff still ventures into the field to scoop exclusives. Those who have referred to him as a workaholic are not far from the truth. Even he, himself has an oft quoted line thus “those who come from poor background cannot afford to sleep too much”.

A beacon of the Momodu family, Dele, the last of three siblings, was ‘privileged’ to lose his father at the age of 13, and was therefore sentenced to the complete tutelage of his mother, and sometimes relatives. His mother became practically his mentor, teacher  and soulmate until she passed away on May 18, 2007, two days after Dele’s 47th birthday. According to him, one of the many morals his mother, who he revered next to God, taught him, is never to despair even when times are tough. Even in her near poverty state, Dele maintained that ‘she didn’t give up on me.’

The accomplished journalist, whose first name was derived from Ayobamidele, meaning “my joy has followed me home”, is a proud 1982 graduate of the University of Ife, (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) where he obtained a degree in Yoruba Language, and followed it up in 1988 with a master’s degree in English Literature.

He kicked off his professional career as a lecturer at the Oyo State College of Arts and Science in Ile-Ife, between 1982 and 1983 while serving as a corps member. He went on to become the private secretary to the former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Chief Akin Omoboriowo, a position he held from 1983 till 1985. In 1986, he was elevated to serve the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, managing his Motel Royal Limited.

Momodu is the proprietor of the no 1 celebrity journal, Ovation International Magazine, The Boss Newspaper and Ovation Television.

We congratulate the ebullient achiever!