So, few days ago, my editor stepped into the dinghy newsroom crowded with papers, files, cameras and other media paraphernalia and broached the idea of this article to me or rather implored me to write an article on a Swaziland king who I must confess I have never heard of before now. When he gave me the topic he wanted, King Mswati III: Legend of a man who loves fresh bosom, I doubled over in a loud guffaw, chortling and squeaking with laughter to the amazement and obvious surprise of my fellow reporters and the editor himself.
After apologizing, I decided to get to work with a benign smile still resting on my face. Only when the search engine brought back results for my request did the smile dry on my face and a crease begin to form upon my forehead.
Born some 50 years ago, King Mswati ascended the throne in 1986 at 32 years of age after the death of his father, Sobuhza II making him the youngest reigning monarch as at that time. Just as the popular saying, his reputation precedes him and it is not one that would leave smiles upon the face of anyone. His reputation for unrivalled and unrestrained love, lust and desire for young women usually between the ages of 14- 19 is predominantly the results the search engine has of him.
The monarch is said to have 50 wives and 23 children. One can boldly assert that he is working in the footsteps of his father who was said to have had over 125 wives during his 82-years reign.
What is quite worrisome is that King Mswati is the last of the absolute monarchs in the world, hence a number of eyes are always on his every move. In fact, he was present at the wedding ceremony of the Prince Harry and Megan Markle in England. In essence, his every move is monitored and each step shows the world how Africa is. His moves, responses, steps provide answers to questions like: Is Africa moving in the right direction? How can we judge Africa in terms of justice, equality, equity and fairness?
One can say, if this Swaziland monarch is the yardstick for providing responses to this question, then Africa has regrettably and undeniably failed. And yet we wonder why the international community sees us as animals.
His reputation for young girls is one that the world has come to know him for. Interestingly, two of his wives are chosen for him by a council which gives him and wile that is legal, the monarch has come under fire a number of times by the public for his interest in young girls. Reports also state that about two of his wives have died or rather committed suicide following the brutal treatment by the King.
Early this year, his 8th wife, Senteni Masango, was found dead after consuming an overdose of a drug for mental patients. Online sources stated that she was unhappy in the marriage and perhaps saw suicide as her best form of escape from Mswati’s brutality.
A number of his wives have even fled the palace to neighboring countries such as South Africa and some to United Kingdom and England.
He was even accused of kidnapping his wives but lack of evidence and witnesses to present a watertight case has seen him always go scot-free.
Mswati has been under heavy fire of criticism by the media in recent years for his lavish and flamboyant lifestyle and spending. Swaziland media reports that the King lives a lavish lifestyle in sharp contrast to the starvation beguiling his people. In the 2014 national budget, parliament allocated $61 million for the king’s annual household budget, while 63% of Swazis live on less than $1.25 per day. In response to the growing criticism of his purchase of luxury cars, including a $500,000 Maybach, he banned the photography or taking of pictures of his vehicles. According to the Forbes 2009 list of the World’s 15 Richest Royals, King Mswati is worth a reported $200 million.
I continued to do more research on this King as I wrote the article hoping that something would exonerate him from these claims or that I would be pointed in the right direction of his goodwill and benevolence but to say I was disappointed would be an understatement. I found nothing of respite and yet we wonder why Africa is backward, we wonder why we are still in the dungeons of poverty, we wonder why we never make progress, we wonder why our growth is stagnant and static, we wonder why things always look bleak., we wonder why development seems like a mirage.
I am quite doubtful that what I have written down is what my editor had in mind when he requested me to write this article but I just saw a bigger picture. The bigger picture of inequality, continued fairness in our continent and the inherent evil nature of the black man and why concepts like gender equality and feminism cannot gain grounds and stability in Africa.
And although, I am tired of the cliché and trite anthem of hoping that something happens, that a difference would happen soon, it is my best prayer now. Africa would rise again.
In a dramatic turn of process, President Bola Tinubu has bestowed the national honour of Commander of the Order of Niger (CON) on the Dr. Humphrey Nwosu for his efforts in birthing the new democratic Nigeria.
Tinubu made the announcement while addressing the nation at the National Assembly complex on Thursday to mark 2025 Democracy Day.
It would be recalled that honoring Nwosu has been an issue of controversy. The announcement had some South East legislators cheering.
The Federal Government, through the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), has commended hospitality establishments, particularly in Lagos, for their prompt compliance with regulatory provisions requiring the registration of top management staff in the sector.
The compliance drive is anchored on the NIHOTOUR Act 2022, which mandates all operators within the hospitality and tourism value chain to register and obtain appropriate certifications. The goal is to ensure service quality, standardisation, and the creation of a robust industry database, which will help protect and promote jobs for trained and qualified Nigerians.
Speaking in Lagos during a recent compliance exercise, NIHOTOUR noted the positive response from major hotel chains, including Marriott, Radisson Blu, Black Diamond, Four Points by Sheraton, and The Sojourner The agency, supported by security operatives deployed by the Inspector General of Police, carried out a comprehensive audit and headcount of management personnel at these establishments.
According to the agency, these top-end hotels have not only shown readiness to comply but have also embraced the initiative as a step toward professionalism and improved industry standards.
In Abuja, the compliance process has also seen progress, though a few operators are still working to update their profiles and resolve outstanding issues before fully joining the initiative.
Reacting to the development, the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) expressed satisfaction with the ongoing exercise in Lagos. FTAN President Nkereweum Onung described the response as encouraging, noting that it reflects a growing industry-wide awareness of the need for regulatory adherence.
“We are pleased to see that a significant number of operators are supporting government’s regulatory efforts. However, we urge for more patience and open communication with those who are still seeking clarification or yet to comply,” Onung said.
He emphasized the need for wider publicity to drive the compliance agenda and called for effective collaboration between government and trade associations to ensure the project’s success.
“We remain committed to supporting the government and promoting the growth of the hospitality and tourism industry. We also expect the government to stay faithful to its promises and contribute meaningfully to the sector’s development,” he added.
There are people who chase relevance, and then there are those who become it. Dele Momodu, at 65, stands as one of the few Nigerians who has not only witnessed the evolution of media, politics, and public life, but has also shaped it.
To say he has lived many lives would be an understatement. Journalist. Publisher. Political aspirant. Cultural archivist. Outspoken commentator. And yet, even with a life so full, he’s still writing new chapters—on his own terms.
For decades, he has moved between boardrooms and ballrooms, newsrooms and palaces, always with a reporter’s curiosity and a statesman’s gravitas. Through Ovation International, the glossy magazine he founded in 1996, Momodu did something audacious: he made African success not just visible, but glamorous. He documented history in real-time, spotlighting not just presidents and billionaires, but the spirit of a continent eager to be seen on its own terms.
However, what makes his story truly compelling isn’t just the magazine covers or the celebrity handshakes—it’s the mind behind it all. Dele Momodu has consistently shown a rare ability to stay ahead of the curve. While others were still adjusting to hashtags and livestreams, he was already building his digital voice, engaging global audiences, and mentoring a new generation of storytellers—without losing the elegance and depth that defined his early career in print.
Unapologetically vocal and refreshingly blunt, he has mastered the delicate art of being both insider and outsider. He critiques power without flinching, yet understands the machinery from the inside. His 2011 presidential bid may not have led to a seat at Aso Rock, but it cemented his place in Nigeria’s democratic conversation—a media man unafraid to step into the arena.
At 65, he is reflective, but far from retiring. His curiosity remains sharp, his presence magnetic, his words weighty. Whether he’s sharing memories of MKO Abiola, challenging government policies on Instagram live, or spotlighting a rising designer he bumped into at the airport, Dele Momodu remains an institution unto himself—seasoned, yes, but never static.
In this exclusive interview with Konye Chelsea Nwabogor , he opens up about the Ovation journey, his views on Nigeria today and his fears and hopes for the media.
Happy Birthday, sir. 65 is indeed a markable milestone. What thoughts have been occupying your mind in this season of reflection? When you think back to the young man walking the grounds of Ife, did you ever imagine this life- this kind of journey?
To be quite honest, my life seems to have been on a rollercoaster. It is surreal. I don’t really know how my father, Jacob Momodu, migrated from a village called Ihievbe, in today’s Edo State, to the ancient town of Ile-Ife, and met my mother, Gladys, from Gbongan, and they fell in love with each other. I was born in 1960 and was the only child of their union. My father worked with the Public Works Department (PWD) where he rose to become a Road Road Overseer. My mother was a petty trader who sold food to prisoners and warders at Ife Prisons. We were of extremely modest income but survived on goodwill and contentment.
In 1973, my father suddenly passed on, and life immediately became harrowing for the family he left behind. I was barely 13 at that time and I had to meander my ways through a labyrinth of unforeseen circumstances and unimaginable challenges. We were kicked out of our rented “face-me-I-face-you” home in Moore, Ile-Ife. We had to move in with our sympathetic family, The Oyemades, in Modakeke.
It was impossible to see or envisage a bright future ahead of us. My mother really laboured hard. My dreams then were limited. Perhaps, at the very best, I had hoped to graduate, become a teacher, marry a teacher, and live happily thereafter.
Ovation has become more than a magazine. It’s part of the cultural fabric. Did you always know you were building something that would outlive trends? What was the founding vision, and has it stayed intact over the years—or has it evolved with you?
The story of Ovation is that of a mysterious babe that came out of an unplanned and unexpected pregnancy. I had originally planned to have this baby in 1991, after I lost my job as Editor of Classique magazine, but had to abort the plans when funding it became a major problem.
Fast forward to 1995, I suddenly became exiled in London and a new and scary situation stared at me. How do I survive in a city where every bill must be paid as at when due? My cousin, Segun Fatoye, then came up with the suggestion that I should establish a media company in London.
Once again, funding became a major hurdle to cross.
We managed to raise the less than 20 percent of what was required but we were determined to overcome all obstacles. Our passion for excellence and quality was extraordinary, and we were determined to produce a world-class publication, and God answered our prayers.
You’ve covered some of the most powerful and iconic people in the world. Of all the rooms you’ve entered, and all the stories you’ve captured, which ones left a permanent mark on you?
Without any doubt, it would be the awe-inspiring room of Ambassador Chief Antonio Deinde Fernandez on an island in New York. Nothing compares to it. The closest would probably be the home of Alhaji Mai Deribe in Maiduguri. Both properties were photographed exclusively for Ovation International magazine by the famous Scottish photographer, Colin Ramsay, now of blessed memories. We had so much fun shooting those iconic homes.
You’ve remained consistently relevant in a media landscape that’s constantly evolving. How were you able to expand so seamlessly into the digital space? What do you credit for that adaptability?
My determination to succeed is extraordinary. I have always had this nagging fear of returning to those days of anguish and agony.
Fortunately for me, I decided to contest Nigeria’s Presidential election in 2011. Naturally, I was compelled to embrace social media. After losing the election, I converted them from politics to business. It was the smartest move I ever made.
You have also managed to build a distinct voice online, especially on social media. What do you think is the role of a journalist in the age of immediacy, visibility, and algorithms?
Our role is not just to post salacious falsehoods in the name of beating deadlines or creating trends. We must demonstrate restraint and responsibility. All is not lost, though. Nigeria still parades some of the brightest and boldest journalists in Africa. The biggest impediment to quality journalism is the dwindling income. Most media houses are barely surviving.
No doubt, journalism has become an endangered specie in our country Nigeria. Anyone with a smartphone can set up an instant blog, no matter how poorly educated. This is dangerous and highly inimical to the growth of a once-revered profession.
Do you think Nigerian journalism still holds power, or has it become too entwined with politics, commerce, and survival?
Every media organisation is usually a reflection of the biases and prejudices of its proprietors. This is not limited to Nigeria. This is even more pronounced in Europe and America where media is often divided on ideological grounds.
You’ve always had the courage to say what others won’t. What gives you the confidence to speak so boldly, particularly on political matters?
I graduated from the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and also bagged a Master’s degree from the same institution, which was well renowned for its radicalism and “A luta” culture. I grew up reading Marxist/Leninist and Soyinkean literatures. I participated in many struggles. I was in exile during the Abacha regime, and I joined Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other NADECO fighters in pulling some stunts. Therefore, I cannot be afraid of speaking truth to Tinubu today because he’s President. I expect him to remember and appreciate our journeys together and respect my right to free speech. I will never disrespect or disparage him, but I will never be squeamish in front of any Nigerian leader. At 65, I’m now an elder statesman and ready to make sacrifices for my nation.
Your commentary on Nigeria, especially its leadership, economy, and direction, often stirs intense reactions. Do you worry about backlash, or is that part of the responsibility that comes with being a public voice?
I have since passed the stage of worrying over any backlash from rulers and their acolytes. I’m sure they know I’m a sincere critic and not a career agitator. It would have been a lot easier for me to join the government and gain access to stupendous opportunities, but I chose the road less travelled. I’m very proud of my choice and I intend to exercise my FREEDOM of expression and Association till eternity.
What frustrates you most about Nigeria’s current political landscape? Is there anything that still gives you hope?
I’m definitely frustrated about the lack of principle and ideology in our politics. The shamelessness of politicians also worries me. The level of greed and self-aggrandisement is too shocking and unacceptable in more reasonable terrains. Hope is fast evaporating in me. I’m only awaiting a miracle.
You’ve built a media empire, travelled across continents, shaped public narratives, and influenced policy conversations—but what would you say has been your proudest moment?
I will humbly and modestly say I have succeeded in building not just a global brand but also a double brand, similar to that of Richard Branson of the Virgin Group and Bill Gates of Microsoft.
I received the honorary Fellowship of the African Public Relations Association (APRA) alongside President John Dramani Mahama in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2019, in recognition of my public relations skills. Mine has been an uncommon trajectory. And I give God all the glory.
What would you like Ovation to represent in another 70 years, long after your name has become history?
A media outfit that continues to promote the positive stories of Africa.
What brings you the most joy in private moments—away from the public persona, the interviews, the speaking engagements?
Watching my children grow into men doing great things of their own without relying on their father’s name or contacts.
You’ve mentored many young voices, both in media and politics. What is the one quality you believe is non-negotiable for anyone who wants to last in this space?
Integrity.
What’s something you believe now, at 65, that you didn’t believe at 35?
That Nigeria could ever degenerate to this terrible level.
What still drives you? What keeps you curious?
The passion for greatness.
When all is said and done, what do you hope the Ovation of your life sounds like?