By Eric Elezuo

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”

The reward for hardwork is always more work, and more work is always a function of recognition. One man has over the years dedicated his life to hard work in his chosen field of endeavour, and impacting lives positively for today and for the future. He is Aare Dele Momodu, Publisher and Chairman, Ovation Media Group.

As a result of his humane and philanthropic approach to life and in management of people and resources, Aare Momodu, a veteran journalist and a frontline social and public commentator, has been at the forefront of receiving accolades both from within the shores of Nigeria and abroad.

In recent times, the journalist-cum-part time politicial has been inundated with massive flow of awards from various groups and establishments; coming in galore and avalanche.

Not long ago, on October 9, at the Oriental Hotel, in Lagos, the celebrated journalist, was named the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) Media Icon of the Decade for his contribution to the field of journalism as well as lifting budding journalists to reach their desired heights.

The award was presented by the Minister of State for Police Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who was the Distinguished Guest of Honour at the occasion, assisted by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Onikan, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, among other dignitaries.

In her remarks at the presentation, the Honourable Minister praised the Ovation boss for his continuous to journalism, projecting African business and political leaders as well as other Nigerians in a positive light.

“We thank you Mr Ovation for all you do and continue to do. You deserve the award, and I happily present it to you,” the Minister, who reminisced with gusto the season Ovation covered her event, said.

In his response, an elated Dele Momodu, expressed gratitude to the executives and members of NAOSNP, whom he modestly described as ‘colleagues’, for considering him for the award, saying that it is always a thing of joy when your own constituency acknowledges your good works, and shows appreciation.

“I thank the members of this association for this award. It is fulfilling when your own colleagues remember you, and support you with an award of thus type. I thank the honorable minister for being available to present it to me. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said with a sense of patriotism.

That did not only follow up a flow of Awards, but opened another floodgates of honours. On November 9, at the Golden Gate Chinese Restaurant, Momodu bagged another award as the Philanthropist Icon of the Year, he dedicated to all Nigerians, who are going through one hardship or another in the present dispensation. The award presented by Supreme Magazine, at its annual Supreme Special Recognition Awards (SUSRA).

Also on the list of forthcoming awards, Aare Momodu will on Thursday, November 22 at American Corner, Lekki, be awarded with the Global Merit Award on Social Media Impact and Talent Promotion by the Silec Initiatives Group.

Also on November 29, Momodu will, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, be recognised for his contributions to humanity at the Nigerian Most Influential Awards and Symposium 2024.

And on December 1, 2024, at Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Abuja will decorated with the Megastar Media Icon of the Decade.

Also on December 1 2024 Momodu will be awarded with the prestigious Celebrity African Cultural Fashion Award, in Abuja.

He has been nominated alongside other distinguished Nigerians including Richard Mofe Damijo, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Earl Osaro and Obi Cubana.

According to Ambassador Judith Swaiubu, the Chief Coordinating Officer of the event, the Momodu and the others have made significant contributions towards promoting African culture.

“These individuals have made significant contributions to promoting African culture and fashion, both locally and internationally. We are honored to recognize their achievements.”

The Celebrity African Cultural Fashion Award aims to celebrate outstanding individuals who have showcased exceptional style, creativity, and dedication to African cultural heritage.

Momodu’s awards and recognitions are numerous and counting, all owing to his selfless contributions to the upliftment of the man on the street, and impact on the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

Born on May 16, 1960, in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Chief Dele Momodu, a distinguished African Journalist of high repute, fulfills the dictates of impeccability in credentials, testimonials and track record.

A publisher, businessman, philanthropist,  and more, he runs the highly rated Ovation International Magazine, a member of the Ovation Media Group, that has given publicity to numerous personalities. Others in his line of publications are Ovation Television and The Boss Newspaper.

Momodu has redefined negative perceptions of Africa, profiling positively African personalities, using his X, Instagram and more, where his followership runs into millions.

A former presidential candidate, Momodu has a degree in Yoruba, from the Obafemi Awolowo University and Doctorates (honoris causa) from various universities, with multiple traditional titles.

He is well traveled, and has visited over 69 countries of the world.

He is married, with four children.

By Eric Elezuo

Writers never die is one expression that aptly describes the immortality of the life and work of one of the world’s leading and prolific writers, teacher and profound nationalist, Chinua Achebe.

A dogged fighter, stubborn to his beliefs of an egalitarian society, and a deep adherence to culture and traditions of the African people, with special bias to his Igbo roots, Achebe lived his 83 years on earth, ensuring that no one, who lives near a river, washes his hands with spittle. His vocal and actionable condemnation of the wrongs of colonialism transcended to post colonial Nigeria, where he continued the advocacy for a just and free society, founded on equity and equality. He never reneged on his strong rebuke against corruption till he breathe his last on that fateful day in March, 2013, in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States of America.

Perhaps, one could attribute the greatness of Chinua Achebe, as he was simply known, to quite a number of factors, most of which appears ornately abstract.

His ability to discern at an early stage his true calling, which was purely artistic and literary, prompting him to jettison an attractive opportunity to become a doctor. It is worth knowing that Achebe was admitted into the now University of Ibadan as pioneer students to study Medicine on a scholarship. However, his discovery of the way foreign authors, especially European authors described Africa, roused the nationalism in him, and prompted him to make a radical and risky change to the Humanities. The risk was enormous, but his stubborn adherence to his principles, ensured he never looked back. He lost the scholarship on that decision, and had to struggle through school though not without little support of the government as well as his brother. Looking back, his choice paid off handsomely.

Again, kudos should be given to the likes of Albert Schweitzer and Joseph Conrad, both of whom Achebe described as “a thoroughgoing racist, and Joyce Cary, who wrote Mr Johnson, for their contributions to greatness of Achebe, though unknowingly. It was Conrad’s book, Heart of Darkness, which gave Africa and Africans a completely negative description, that warranted a necessity to do a rejoinder. He decision to tell a better narrative to correct the lopsided impression of the black race led to his interest in Literature,  and finally to writing and release of the world renowned epic, Things Fall Apart, in 1957.

The Igbo culture of Storytelling also impacted Achebe’s glory. The act was a mainstay of the Igbo tradition and an integral part of the community. Wikipedia wrote that Achebe’s mother and his sister, Zinobia, told him many stories as a child, which he repeatedly requested. It was here he got most of his storyline and sharpened his storytelling acumen.

We can also give kudos to the collages his father hung on the walls of their home, as well as almanacs and numerous books—including a prose adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (c. 1590) and an Igbo version of Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress (1678). They play parts in honing his writing interest, and most of them were later recreate in his novels and stories, especially ceremonies of Igbo origins.

Though the Things Fall Apart is not Achebe’s first in the analysis of his writings, it broke all protocol, re-addressed biased impression, and tends to release Africa from chain of a dark continent description. Achebe made his mark with his first outing as a writer thereby fulfilling a destiny, he drafted for himself. Since then, he never looked back, churning out classics after classics that remodeled world literature, at least from the perspective of the average African man. It was therefore, for love of action and tangibility that he opposed negritude, preferring tigritude in its stead. His argument, as he put on paper says “A tiger doesn’t proclaim its tigerness; it jumps on its prey.” He wanted African writers to show the stuff they are made of rather than verbalize it.

Principled and well brought up, Achebe on many occasions, rejected national honours, saying there was actually no reason to allow himself be honoured by a corrupt society.

Today, 11 years after his death and 67 years after the publication of the blockbuster Things Fall Apart, Achebe’s image continues to loom large, remain larger than life and covering the literary world like a colossus, as well as giving Africans the pride that they so much deserve.

THE MAN CHINUA ACHEBE

Born Albert Chinụalụmọgụ Achebe on November 16 1930, sharing same birthday date with Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Achebe lived his entire conquering the fields of literature in every ramification. He was a novelist, poet, and critic who is regarded as a central figure of modern African literature.

He hails from Ogidi, in Anambra State, and born to a teacher-evangelist father, Isaiah Okafo Achebe, while his mother, Janet Anaenechi Iloegbunam, was church leader, farmer and daughter of a blacksmith from Awka.

Achebe grew side by side with his five other siblings; four boys and a girl. They were Frank Okwuofu, John Chukwuemeka Ifeanyichukwu, Zinobia Uzoma, Augustine Ndubisi, and Grace Nwanneka.

Achebe’s childhood was greatly influenced by both Igbo traditional culture and postcolonial Christianity, both of which he allowed to exist side by side all through his life.

Records have it that he excelled while pursuing his academic career. It was while attending what is now the University of Ibadan, that his antenna of fierce criticiam of how Western literature depicted Africa, became sharpened.

Achebe’s educational pursuit started in 1936, when he entered St Philips’ Central School in the Akpakaogwe region of Ogidi for his primary education. He was later moved to a higher class when the school’s chaplain took note of his intelligence. He showcased his brilliance from the very beginning.

“One teacher described him as the student with the best handwriting and the best reading skills in his class.”

After primary education, Achebe moved to the prestigious Government College Umuahia, in present-day Abia State, for his secondary education. He combined his formal education pursuit with attendance of Sunday school every week and the special services held monthly.

Achebe later in 1942 enrolled in Nekede Central School, outside of Owerri, and was reported to be ‘particularly studious and passed the entrance examinations for two colleges.’

He moved to Lagos after graduation, and worked for the Nigerian Broadcasting Service (NBS), garnering international attention for his 1958 novel Things Fall Apart. In less than 10 years he would publish four further novels through the publisher Heinemann, with whom he began the Heinemann African Writers Series and galvanized the careers of African writers, such as Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o and Flora Nwapa.

His first novel, described widely as his magnum opus, Things Fall Apart (1958), occupies a pivotal place in African literature and remains the most widely studied, translated, and read African novel. Along with Things Fall Apart, his No Longer at Ease (1960) and Arrow of God (1964) complete the “African Trilogy”.

Later novels include A Man of the People (1966) and Anthills of the Savannah (1987). In the West, Achebe is often referred (or recognized as) to as the “father of African literature”, although in his humility, he had at various times, vigorously rejected the characterization.

Achebe’s interest in writing was natured when he sought to escape the colonial perspective that framed African literature at the time, and drew from the traditions of the Igbo people, Christian influences, and the clash of Western and African values to create a uniquely African voice. He wrote in and defended the use of English, describing it as a means to reach a broad audience, particularly readers of colonial nations.

When the region of Biafra broke away from Nigeria in 1967, Achebe supported Biafran independence and acted as ambassador for the people of the movement appealing to the people of Europe and the Americas for aid. Though he engaged in politics at the fall of Biafra in 1970, he quickly exited as he became disillusioned over the continuous corruption and elitism he witnessed.

He lived in the United States for several years in the 1970s, and returned to the US in 1990 after a car crash left him partially paralyzed. He stayed in the US in a nineteen-year tenure at Bard College as a professor of languages and literature.

Winning the 2007 Man Booker International Prize, from 2009 until his death he was Professor of African Studies at Brown University. Achebe’s work has been extensively analyzed and a vast body of scholarly work discussing it has arisen. In addition to his seminal novels,

Achebe’s oeuvre includes numerous short stories, poetry, essays and children’s books. A titled Igbo chief himself, his style relies heavily on the Igbo oral tradition, and combines straightforward narration with representations of folk stories, proverbs, and oratory. Among the many themes his works cover are culture and colonialism, masculinity and femininity, politics, and history. His legacy is celebrated annually at the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival.

Achebe’s debut as an author was in 1950 when he wrote a piece for the University Herald, the university’s magazine, entitled “Polar Undergraduate”. It used irony and humour to celebrate the intellectual vigour of his classmates. He followed with other essays and letters about philosophy and freedom in academia, some of which were published in another campus magazine called The Bug. He served as the Herald‘s editor during the 1951–52 school year. He wrote his first short story that year, “In a Village Church” (1951), an amusing look at the Igbo synthesis between life in rural Nigeria with Christian institutions and icons. Other short stories he wrote during his time at Ibadan—including “The Old Order in Conflict with the New” (1952) and “Dead Men’s Path” (1953)—examine conflicts between tradition and modernity, with an eye toward dialogue and understanding on both sides. When the professor Geoffrey Parrinder arrived at the university to teach comparative religion, Achebe began to explore the fields of Christian history and African traditional religions.

After the final examinations at Ibadan in year 1953, Achebe was awarded a second-class degree. Rattled by not receiving the highest level, he was uncertain how to proceed after graduation and returned to his hometown of Ogidi. While pondering possible career paths, Achebe was visited by a friend from the university, who convinced him to apply for an English teaching position at the Merchants of Light school at Oba. It was a ramshackle institution with a crumbling infrastructure and a meagre library; the school was built on what the residents called “bad bush”—a section of land thought to be tainted by unfriendly spirits. It was from this ‘bad bush’ that Achebe kickstarted his career path before trying out other avenues until the Nigeria/Biafra War broke out.

Achebe returned with his family to Ogidi, at the fall of Biafra in 1970 to discover their home destroyed. He then took up a job at the University of Nigeria in Nsukka and immersed himself once again in academia. He was unable to accept invitations to other countries, however, because the Nigerian government revoked his passport due to his support for Biafra.

In the last 12  years of his life, Achebe devoted his time more academic pursuit and writings, and winning more laurels.

In 2000 he published Home and Exile, a semi-biographical collection of both his thoughts on life away from Nigeria, as well as discussion of the emerging school of Native American literature.

 In October 2005, the London Financial Times reported that Achebe was planning to write a novella for the Canongate Myth Series, a series of short novels in which ancient myths from myriad cultures are reimagined and rewritten by contemporary authors.

Achebe was awarded the Man Booker International Prize in June 2007. The award helped correct what “many perceived as a great injustice to African literature, that the founding father of African literature had not won some of the key international prizes.”

For the International Festival of Igbo culture, Achebe briefly returned to Nigeria to give the Ahajioku Lecture. Later that year he published The Education of A British-Protected Child, a collection of essays. In autumn he joined the Brown University faculty as the David and Marianna Fisher University Professor of Africana Studies.

In 2010, Achebe was awarded The Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize for $300,000, one of the richest prizes for the arts.

In 2012, Achebe published There Was a Country: A Personal History of Biafra. The work re-opened the discussion about the Nigerian Civil War. It would be his last publication during his lifetime; Achebe died after a short illness on 21 March 2013 in Boston, United States. He was buried in his hometown of Ogidi.

Achebe, there was indeed a man! And on this 94th Posthumous birthday, the world raises a toast.

By Eric Elezuo

While most Nigerians complain about the inefficiency of most of their representatives in the Senate, very many others are head over heels in joy and excitement regarding the humongous projects their frontliners are churning out, ranging from infrastructure development and human capacity development to sheer philanthropism.

One of such senators, who is at home with the reasons he is in the Senate, and dishing out maximum performance, is the Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District, and the Basofin, Ajagunnla Olubiyi Fadeyi; a wholesome entrepreneur, family man and a man with an eye for details.

In this exclusive interview with The Boss, in his Abuja office, Senator Ajagunnla went down memorylane to provide answers to the myriad of firsts that make him the ceteris paribus of senatorial representation, as well as a deep reflection on his 18 months of stewardship as a senator, the magnificent launch of a Two Billion Naira Intervention Fund among a host of others.

Excerpts:

Senator Fadeyi sir, could you please start by sharing a brief of your educational background, and how it has shaped your political career?

Certainly! My educational journey dates back to my early days in Ife, where I attended the prestigious University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University. I followed it up with a Masters degree in the United Kingdom, and went ahead to attend the renowned Harvard School, Oxford, and London School of Economics. This great institutions have been, and make profound influence over my career trajectory.

Education for me has always been a pathway to make a difference, and Nelson Mandela’s words resonate deeply with me: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” It is this philosophy that motivates me daily to serve my constituents, and the broader Nigerian community, in the Senate, striving to use my platform for impactful change.

That’s really very obvious. Now, before joining politics, what was your professional journey like, and how did it prepare you for the Senate?

My career journey is a consequence of international engagements, which have taken me to over 20 countries, where I was fully engaged in financial business investment and infrastructure development in roads, bridges and deep seaport construction. These deepened my leadership and global outlook. Again, studying at the prestigious Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School and Harvard Kennedy School of Government strengthened my expertise in international business and now, in my legislative duties. As you can see, I use them to benefit my constituency and Nigeria at large.

Serving as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Communication, Trade, and Investment, I’ve leveraged my background to support substantial projects in Nigeria including the $3 billion Green Line Rail Project, the $750 million Lekki Port Access Road, the $1.5 billion Lekki Deep Sea Port investment and $1.6 billion Abuja-Keffi-Markudi-9th Mile-Enugu Dualization road project with my core partners in the last 14 years. These initiatives are bringing direct economic benefits and creating thousands of jobs for Nigerians. Each project reflects my commitment to fostering a globally competitive Nigeria through strategic partnerships and foreign investment.

What prompted or inspired your entry into politics, and how has that journey been so far?

My primary inspiration was my father; an educationist, elder stateman, Member of the House of Representatives (MHR) in the 2nd Republic under Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), representing Ila Federal Constituency, who devoted his life to mentoring young minds. His dedication to human capacity and capital development instilled in me the importance of public service.

John Quincy Adams captured it well when he said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” Although it has been a journey marked by challenges, the chance to enact and effect change for my senatorial zone and country is a privilege that makes every effort worth the while.

Your achievements notwithstanding, there will always be challenges. Kindly talk about the challenges you faced on your way to the Senate?

Like you rightly said, as with any journey to leadership, there were obstacles. Leadership isn’t always comfortable, as Martin Luther King Jr. would say: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” The road was far from smooth, with both internal and external hurdles. Yet, these experiences have strengthened my resolve and solidified my commitment to bring positive change for the people who put their trust in me.

Who are the mentors or role models that have influenced your political career?

Again, I would say my father; he is undisputed, undoubtedly a guiding figure, a mentor, a teacher who taught me that leadership is about integrity, resilience, and service. Additionally, I look up to many world leaders whose lives exemplify commitment to public good. Their examples have been instrumental in my journey.

What are your main legislative priorities for Osun Central and Nigeria?

My goal is to foster sustainable development across our communities with total consideration to the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who said, “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” My legislative focus is on job creation, educational advancement, and infrastructure development, aiming for a future where every Nigerian has the tools to thrive.

Now, how do you respond to critics, who say the Senate is overpaid and underperforming?

I take this criticism seriously, and understand why it exists. As a senator, I believe in working with dedication, transparency, and accountability. Theodore Roosevelt said it best: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” I work each day to show Nigerians that our commitment to their welfare is genuine.

Transparency is a major concern in the allocation of constituency projects. How do you ensure funds are effectively utilized?

Transparency is essential. I am a firm believer in the saying, “Sunlight is the best disinfectant.” By involving community stakeholders, and keeping an open line with my constituents, I make sure every project is monitored, every fund spent is accounted for, and that our resources truly impact people’s lives.

Many Nigerians feel the Senate does not focus on issues affecting the common person. How do you address this?

Each time we debate in the 10th Senate, we’re representing the people’s voices, raising concerns that reflect their daily challenges. My commitment is to continue advocating policies and projects that directly address the needs of the average Nigerian, ensuring that the Senate’s work resonates with them.

How do you stay connected with the people of Osun Central?

I stay engaged through grassroots efforts and personal visits, town hall meetings, and inclusion of Royal fathers is key. This helps me to address community needs directly. Recently, we rehabilitated critical roads, installed transformers, and set up solar-powered boreholes, among other projects. By listening to, and acting on the people’s needs, I am ensuring that they remain my priority.

Balancing public service with family can be demanding. How do you manage this?

My love for my constituents is profound, but my family is irreplaceable. With their unwavering support, I am able to balance these responsibilities, always aiming to serve both my family and my community with dedication.

How were you able to achieve so much for your constituents in such a short period?

It’s all about having a clear vision, putting together strategy plan with a dedicated team. As Henry Ford said, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” Through partnerships and teamwork, we’ve implemented projects quickly, and my commitment to human capital development, including the Ajagunnla Olubiyi Fadeyi Bursary awards has impacted over 1,650 students across disciplines and Training of 20 youths in China in Agriculture development, IT, AI, Digital Economy and CNG Conversion.

On a finally note sir, how would you react to the advocacy for their own state by the Igbomina-speaking people?

In a democracy, everyone deserves a sense of belonging. With their rich resources, from gold to marble and talc, the Igbomina people present a viable case. Our role in the 10th Assembly is to consider these aspirations while balancing national priorities.

It’s been wonderful speaking with you sir. Thank you for your time.

The pleasure is mine, Eric, thank you!