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Bashorun Dele Momodu @63

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By Segun Adeyeye

Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men – Proverbs 22:29

On the 16th of May 2023, Chief Dele Momodu, an accomplished Journalist, Publisher, global media entrepreneur, pro-democracy activist, presidential aspirant and mentor to many clocked 63 years on earth.

The story of this great and iconic son of Africa affectionately called ‘BOB DEE’ by his friends and teeming admirers is the stuff of legends.
Born to barely literate parents, Dele Momodu studied Yoruba language as an undergraduate and did his post graduate studies in Literature in English, both at the prestigious University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University).

His unique mastery of the English language saw him secure early jobs as private secretary to the late Deputy Governor of the old Ondo State, Chief Akin Omoboriowo and public relations officer to the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade at different times.

When the allure of Lagos came calling, as a young up coming Journalist, Dele took abode in the relatively sleepy Adigboluja in the Ojodu Abiodun area of Lagos, a community in which this writer also lived briefly as a teenager.

His prodigious talent quickly saw him engaged as an editor of the then wave making Weekend Concord; one of the titles on the staple of Concord Newspaper Group owned by the late Chief MKO Abiola. It was from this platform that Dele Momodu metaphorically took lifestyle journalism by storm.

He brought so much panache to that genre of print journalism and gravitas to the office of editor that other higher responsibilities soon came calling.

There is a saying among the Yorubas that a child that knows how to thoroughly wash his hands will soon start dining with the elders; Such was the story of the then young and budding journalist that he soon came into the attention of Chief MKO Abiola the Newspaper’s proprietor. The story of the Father-Son relationship that Chief Abiola and Dele Momodu went on to build has been well documented; to the extent that on the day of his wedding in 1992, his new bride, Mrs Mobolaji Momodu was handed over to Chief Abiola as Dele’s Father. He also once ran Chief Abiola’s wonderloaf Bakery amidst other engagements usually reserved for trusted lieutenants.

When Chief Abiola went into politics and contested the June 12 1993 presidential election, naturally his much beloved son Dele became one of his political footsoldiers. The unfortunate annulment of that historic election and the ensuing battle to reclaim the mandate freely given to Chief Abiola by Nigerians brought out the activist in Dele Momodu. Soon enough, his uncompromising stance would make him a prime target for the military junta who hounded him everywhere until he had to take refuge in exile, from where he alongside other pro-democracy activists like Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Gen Alani Akinrinade,(Rtd) Air Commodore Dan Suleiman (Rtd)Senator Bola Tinubu late Chief Anthony Enahoro and others waged a ferocious battle against the military that culminated in the birth of the democratic rule being enjoyed by Nigerians today in 1999.

As the saying goes; when life throws you a lemon, you should endeavour to make a lemonade out of it. Such was the case with Dele Momodu who with his wife and young family bore the brunt and hardships of life in exile in the early days of their marriage.

While in exile in the UK, the idea of a global celebrity magazine to truly celebrate great accomplishments by Africans from all spheres of endeavors began to take root his ever fecund mind; enter Ovation Magazine International. The little acorn that was Ovation Magazine has now become a giant oak tree with other spin off businesses and tentacles all over the world.

Despite his hyper busy schedule manning his chains of business interests, the writer in Dele Momodu still finds time to write what should rank as one of the longest running columns in any Nigerian Newspaper; the PENdulum on ThisDay Newspaper on Saturdays.

One enduring quality that has greatly endeared the celebrant to this writer is his fidelity to friendship and ever readiness to acknowledge everyone who has played one positive role or another in his journey to the top no matter how seemingly negligible. When he clocked 60 in the year 2020, for weeks his back page column in ThisDay and his The Boss online Newspaper were yielded to acknowledging and celebrating this long list of ‘who is who’ in his still evolving great story.

This writer was also deeply touched on one occasion watching Chief Momodu not being able to hold back his tears on a live television interview once the subject veered in the direction of Chief MKO Abiola and the harrowing experience he went through in military detention while trying to claim his mandate culminating in his unfortunate death. Such has been his loyalty to his mentor and his legacy even in death.

Chief Momodu’s recent forays into Nigeria’s presidential politics may not have met with the expected success, but let no one be left in doubt that he is still poised to play a major role in the evolution and development of his great country.

In his book; How Countries Compete: Strategy, Structure and Government in the Global Economy, Richard H.K..Victor alluded to the stiff competition going on in an increasingly globalized world and how imperative it is for countries to develop strategies to compete for the markets, technologies and skills that will raise their standards of living.

Notably, for Nigeria to survive in this cauldron of competition, the role of global branding and strategic positioning experts like Dele Momodu simply cannot be overemphasized.

So for this great Nigerian, in the annals of our political, economic leadership and development as a nation, his day in the sun is still looming large ahead.

Suffice now to join his beloved wife of over three decades, four Sons, extended family members and well wishers all over the world to say;

HAPPY 63RD BIRTHDAY BOB DEE

As your days, so shall your strength be in Jesus Name (Amen).

Adeyeye is a Lagos based Corporate Lawyer and Content Developer (segunadeyeyeceo@yahoo.com)

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Again, DStv, Gotv Jack Up Subscription Rates

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Broadcasting company Multichoice has jacked up the prices of its offerings in Nigeria four months after its last increment.

The company reviewed prices in its packages across the board. The new prices will take effect from May 1, 2024.

With the latest price hike, the DStv Premium package increased from N29,500 to N37,000. Similarly, the DStv Compact+ went up from N19,800 to N25,000 while the Compact package increased from N12,500 to N15,700.

The Comfam package moved from N7,400 to N9,300. Yanga package moved up from 4,200 to N5,100 while Padi package increased from N2,950 to N3,600. HDPVR was increased from N4,000 to N5,000, the Access Fees package from N4,000 to N5,000, and XtraView moved from N4,000 to N5,000.

Meanwhile, the Gotv Supa+ package moved from N12,500 to N15,700, Supa package from N7,600 to N9,600, and Max package from N5,700 to N7,200.

While the Jolli package was jacked up from N3,950 to N4,850, the Jinja package moved from N2,700 to N3,300, and Smallie package from N1,300 to N1,575.

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It will be recalled that the company implemented an upward review of prices in December 2023, days after announcing a $72m loss in its financial statement for the third quarter of the year.

Checks on the company’s reviewed price list then showed a 20 per cent per cent hike in the company’s packages across the board.

 

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I’ll Resign If Yaya Bello Eacapes Prosecution, EFCC Chair Vows

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Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has sworn to follow the prosecution of the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to a logical conclusion.

In a chat with journalists at the EFCC Headquarters in the Jabi area of Abuja on Tuesday, the anti-graft crusader vowed to resign as EFCC chairman if Bello is not prosecuted.

He added that all those who obstructed the arrest of the former governor would be brought to justice.

The EFCC is seeking to arraign Bello on 19 counts bordering on alleged money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N80.2 billion.

He said that no matter what anyone does or the amount of attack against the anti-graft agency, he and his men will not relent in helping to sanitise the country.

Olukoyede said the EFCC needs the support of Nigerians to succeed, emphasizing that if the agency fails, Nigeria fails. He stated that the efforts made currently have helped the value of the Naira and the foreign market.

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Kwibuka 30: Nigerian Community In Rwanda Visits Kigali Genocide Memorial

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By Dolapo Aina

The 30th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against The Tutsi commenced in Rwanda on Sunday, April 7, 2024. The commemoration is called Kwibuka which in Kinyarwanda means “to remember.”
For clarity and context, April 7th 2024 marked the start of Kwibuka 30, the 30th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, which began on April 7th 1994. As with other commemorations, the Kigali Genocide Memorial was a focal point as the flame of remembrance was lit and global dignitaries placed wreaths at the mass graves. The memorial is normally closed to the public for part of the day on April 7th, with attendance at the lighting of the flame by invitation only.
In and around Kigali during the first week of the commemoration, a plethora of commemorations took place to mark Kwibuka 30 and different events took place during its first week in particular. Bars, clubs and public leisure facilities are usually closed for the week and this was so, this year.
The Nigerian Community in Rwanda marked Kwibuka 30 with a walk to the Kigali Genocide Memorial on Saturday, the 13th of April 2024. The walk had members (old, new and friends) of the Nigerian Community who gathered in the rain and walked to the location of the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi where the remains of over 250,000 people are interred.
A tour of the memorial complex ensued and the members of the Nigerian community watched a documentary in the viewing room. The documentary featured survivors of the 1994 Genocide Against The Tutsi who usually visit the memorial to pay their silent respect and reflections to loved ones who are buried in the burial grounds of the Genocide Memorial.
Walking through the hallways and rooms, Nigerians read the stories on the hallways and discussed amongst themselves. For some, it was their first time at the memorial, for others, it was the umpteenth visit. For Dolapo Aina, I have been visiting the memorial since April 2014 and for each visit (numbering close to 70 visits), I come out with a newer and clearer understanding. It was a sombre period going through the hallways and rooms as some people could not go through the emotions of going into the children’s room. Wreaths were laid at the grave site section and the members of the Nigerian community proceeded to a serene area of the complex facing the amphitheatre where there was a deep hour conversation with one of the officials of the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
Mr Jean Claude Mugisha (an official of the memorial in Gisozi) practically took the Nigerian community through the genesis of the history of Rwanda and the beginning of pogroms from the 1950s culminating in the 1994 Genocide Against The Tutsi. In Mr Mugabe words; “I have been able to forgive. Also, I am involved in unity and reconciliation activities and learning from the power of forgiveness.” Discussions also centred on justice systems, the role of Gacaca court system, reconciliation and nation building. Members of the Nigerian Community asked questions which were answered. Some of the questions triggered areas of collaboration.
Dolapo Aina got the thoughts of some Nigerians resident in Rwanda and who took part in the walk to the Genocide Memorial. Their responses were based on the following questions. Why did you partake in the walk organised by the Nigerian Community in Rwanda to commemorate Kwibuka 30? What was the experience like? Do describe your thoughts when you visited the Genocide Memorial? What stood out to you from the conversation the Nigerian Community had with officials of the Kigali Genocide Memorial? What lessons did you learn from the visit of the Nigerian Community to the Genocide Memorial?
Mr David Oboh in his words; “I partook in the walk to identify with a nation that experienced one of the worst crimes to humanity but today has become a beacon of hope to African nations that things can actually turn around for the better if you decide to. It was heart-wrenching seeing the bones and pictures of the victims murdered in cold blood by family members, neighbours and long-time friends.” On the third question about what stood out during the conversation, Mr Oboh said; “That a man after 15 years in jail came out and still committed murder because he thought he had killed everyone in a family. His mind had not left the past.” He also stated that; “The memorial is a reminder to all that history not forgotten cannot be repeated.”
In Ms. Mercy Odebode’s words: “It not my first time visiting the memorial but this was a different experience for me because it made me realise why Rwandans tend to certain things and also don’t do certain things. For example, viewing religions especially religious institutions like the church differently from the way Nigerians would view it.” She stated that what stood out for her was: “The peace education stood out for me.” On lessons learnt from the visit by the Nigerian community; “First spread peace and not hate. Secondly, forgiveness is not an obligation, you choose to forgive. However, it is good to educate people about forgiveness, educate to forgive and then you proceed with reconciliation.”
Mr. Ogah Ogbole stated that: “The walk by the Nigerian community is something I would not want to miss anytime. I have the opportunity to do so with my fellow countrymen. My experience visiting the memorial and my thoughts can be summed up as ⁠heartbreaking to see fellow Africans killed in cold blood, by their own brothers. Something must have gone wrong somewhere. What stood out for me during the conversation with the officials of the memorial was that Rwandans understand history; they know how to resolve conflict and they know how to move forward. And I learnt to love my brother and my neighbour. More especially, seeing the Rwandans committed to remain one despite the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi blows my mind.”
Another Nigerian, Mr Kelechi Anyanwu stated that: “Partaking in the walk organised by Nigerian Community in Rwanda to commemorate Kwibuka 30 is a civic responsibility which I owe the host country; to stand in solidarity with them at this time of remembrance and in all times. I have visited the genocide memorial site more than 20 times within the short period that I’ve lived here in Rwanda. And every time I visit, I weep. Never will I stop visiting because it offers and brings me close to the reality of sober reflection that one day we shall all be gone and will only be remembered by those we left behind and how we left, will matter. Did we impact their lives positively or negatively? What will you be remembered for?”
On the experience and thoughts about visiting, Mr Anyanwu went thus: “It is also a constant reminder of how desperately wicked people’s hearts can be. With few exceptions. Lions, the king of the jungle don’t kill lions even as animals. Howbeit human beings with 6th sense got to the level of committing such crime against humanity! Therefore, visiting the Genocide memorial site is to provoke the whys and hows and arrive at a conclusion of never again should we condole or tolerate the killing of each other. Let’s love and not hate. The tour and the speech by the officials were quite insightful and significant as it left us with a better understanding of the effects of genocidal damage to humanity. The process of restoration. restitution, rehabilitation and reuniting to rebuild a nation for all; are the testaments of genocide survivors.”

Another Nigerian, Mr Cosmas Anakwue stated; “I took part in the walk to support the Nigerian community and to support Rwanda’s commemoration of Kwibuka 30. My experience at the memorial was good as it was an eye opener; it was informative and educational. What stood out for me was the attention given to the Genocide events and how we can relate it to our history as Nigerians. And one of the lessons I learnt was that we should use our bad history as a building block for our various nations in unity, peace and progress.
According to Kwibuka Rwanda, Kwibuka marks a generational cycle since The Genocide Against The Tutsi was put to an end. And it is a time to reflect on Rwanda’s journey of rebuilding strength, resilience, and unity. It now falls to new generations to sustain and carry forward this progress, adapting to today’s global challenges to achieve Rwanda’s aspirations.
The Nigerian Community in Rwanda commenced commemorating Kwibuka with a walk to the Genocide memorial in 2019.

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