Olufi of Gbonganland Honours Dele Momodu, Wife with Chieftaincy Titles

By Eric Elezuo

Consequence upon his selfless contributions to the betterment of humanity and modest efforts at changing the narratives towards good governance, the Chairman, Ovation Media Group, Aare Dele Momodu, has been recognised and penciled down for a chieftaincy honours by His Royal Majesty, the Olufi of Gbonganland, Oba Adetoyese Oyeniyi Odugbemi I. He will be honoured as the Akinrogun of Gbonganland. The honours are also extended to his wife, Mobolaji Momodu, who will be recognised as the Yeye Akinrogun of Gbonganland.

Conveying the good news in a letter dated August 30, 2023, and signed by the Royal Majesty himself, the Oba informed that the recognition is as a result of momodu’s “various landmark achievements as a world renowned journalist, author, publisher, businessman, public affairs commentator, frontline politician to the level of being chosen as a presidential candidate of a strong political party in our elections”.

The Olufi noted as follows in the letter:

“I am very pleased to inform you that you have been conferred with the Honourary Chieftaincy title of AKINROGUN OF GBONGANLAND by His Royal Majesty THE OLUFI OF GBONGAN OBA DR. ADETOYESE OYENIYI ODUGBEMI THE FIRST.

This is in recognition of your various land mark achievements as a world renowned journalist author, publisher, business man, public affairs commentator, frontline politician to the level of being chosen as a presidential candidate of a strong political party in our presidential elections.

Another compelling reason is the fact that your own biological mother was a native of Gbongan from the famous Oluoje family. Some of your achievements include but not limited to:

i. Chief Executive Officer and publisher of Ovation International, a magazine that has given publicity to people from all over the world.

ii. Launched Ovation TV in 2015

iii. Launched an online newspaper called the Boss newspapers.

iv. You have received hundreds of awards and honours for your work in the world of business, politics, literature, the music and fashion industry.

v. You write a weekly column called “Pendulum” published every Saturday on the back page of Thisday newspaper.
Aside from the above. you are a cultural man per excellence and a worthy ambassador of the legendary Oduduwa Dynasty and a philanthropist, committed husband and father. WE ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU!!!

You are given the honour of being installed as the AKINROGUN of GBONGANLAND on the 25th of November, 2023 which is the grand Finale of the 25th Coronation Anniversary celebration of His Royal Majesty Oba Dr. Adetoyese Oyeniyi, Odugbemi the first, Olufi of Gbonganland. The installation takes place in the Palace of the Olufi of Gbongan, Oke Ofa Quarters, Gbongan, Osun State, Nigeria starting from 10am.

In his response, an elated Momodu took to his social handles to announce the honours as follows: “GREAT NEWS FROM THE ODUGBEMI OF GBONGANLAND… We have received a royal letter from the Palace of The Olufi of Gbonganland, in Gbongan, Osun State.

“I have been offered the Chieftaincy title of The Akinrogun, and my darling wife, Mobolaji Momodu, as Yeye Akinrogun of Gbonganland. By the grace of God, we shall be installed in The Palace, on November 25, 2023, which falls on Kabiyesi our King’s 25th anniversary.

“We are very grateful to Kabiyesi THE OLUFI OF GBONGANLAND HRM OBA DR. ADETOYESE OYENIYI ODUGBEMI I, and the good and forward-thinking people of my Mum’s ancestral home for their endless love for our family, The great FATOYE family.
Our close friends will be adequately briefed about our plans next week. Please, keep us in your prayers…”

Recall that in October 2021, Momodu and his wife were honoured with traditional chieftaincy titles of Aare Tayese of Iwoland and Yeye Aare Tayese of Iwoland respectively by the paramount ruler of Iwo Kingdom, HRH Oba (Dr.) Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu l, the Oluwo of Iwoland.

According to the Oluwo, the couple was considered for such great honours as a result of their immense contribution to the promotion of Yoruba culture and tradition and mental beneficence through national and international media.

He also has various chieftaincy titles accumulated across the six geo-political regions of the country.

Chief Dele Momodu, born May 16, 1960, in the ancient town of Ile-Ife, Nigeria, is an African Journalist of high repute and loud acclaim. He is a Publisher, polemicist, businessman, philanthropist, actor, politician and motivational speaker. He is the CEO and Publisher of Ovation International, the flagship celebrity magazine that has given publicity to people from all over the world in over 60 countries.

He is the Chairman of the Ovation Media Group, comprising of Ovation International magazine, Ovation Television and The Boss newspaper. His media empire has worked assiduously to change the negative perception of Africa as a dark continent of vampires. He is one of the most prolific essayists in Africa and he has authored and published several books in his name. He is one of the biggest voices on the African social media platforms and his Twitter account has over a million followers. He is one of the most photographed celebrities in Africa.

Momodu has met and interacted with world leaders. He has received innumerable awards and honours, and garnered recognition for his work in the world of business, politics, literature, music and fashion in which he plays major roles. He has bagged two Doctorates (honoris causa) from Universities in Benin Republic and Ghana. He is a recipient of multiple traditional titles in Nigeria and Liberia.

Momodu is a graduate of the great University of Ife, (now Obafemi Awolowo University , Ile-Ife). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Yoruba language (1982) and a Master’s degree in English Literature, 1988, from the same University (the first Nigerian ever to attempt such a combination). He has been a political activist for decades and was forced into exile in Great Britain from 1995-98 under the military rule of General Sani Abacha.