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A Tribute to a ‘Movement’, Bashorun Dele Momodu at 65

Published

9 months ago

May 10, 2025

Eric

By Lanre Alfred

There are men who pass through life like a breeze — felt briefly, forgotten swiftly. And then, there is Bashorun Dele Momodu, whose presence crackles like thunder and his kindness runs as a river.

Clothed in a timeless ensemble of benevolence, patriotism, and service, Momodu towers like an iroko on the landscape of the Nigerian story – unmoved by storms, unmuzzled by fear, and unmatched in generosity. He is Bob Dee, the chronicler of kings and commoners alike, the man whose pen has lit up continents, and whose touch has lifted destinies.

He is not just a man. He is a movement.

At sixty-five, some men grow quiet with age, their voices dimming into the hush of retreat. But not Bob Dee. At sixty-five, he strides like a lion into his legacy — radiant, regal, and resoundingly relevant. He is the grand griot of our age, the man whose name has become synonymous with goodwill, whose shoulders lift others into prominence, whose words weave the fabric of both nation and narrative.

This is no ordinary man that I celebrate, and this is no ordinary age. Sixty-five is the crown of seasoned suns, a time when the journey behind is long enough to inspire awe and the path ahead is still kissed by purpose. Bashorun Dele Momodu has earned that crown many times over, in kindness and sacrifice. He is the pen’s patriarch and the people’s prince, and as Nigeria stands to toast his life, I rise — personally and profoundly — to pay homage to a man who has been more than a mentor to me. He has been a brother.

I have travelled with him and I have enjoyed his hospitality and bonhomie and benefitted immensely from his well of wisdom. When he gives, he spends himself with it, honestly

To recount my story with Bashorun Dele Momodu is to draw water from a reservoir that never runs dry; a well of kindness, humility, and astonishing generosity. As I prepared to host the South West Games 2025 — a vision carved from faith, sweat, and sleepless nights — Bob Dee was among the first to throw his weight behind me. He did not wait for the spotlight to shine; he arrived bearing torches.

With a heart bigger than the arena we built, he linked me up when the tournament needed friends in high places, he became the ladder. He personally led me and my team to His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, not just making the introduction, but walking the walk beside me like a brother would. Not many men of his stature would make time, but Dele Momodu did without hesitation.

And despite a schedule tighter than a noose, he made himself available for the grand finale. There he was, in all his signature elegance, his presence anchoring the atmosphere like royalty. It was a picture of sweet delight to see Bob Dee receiving his honorary award with grace and handing out trophies like a proud father at a school graduation. It was not just his presence that elevated the event, it was his essence.

While many of his billionaire peers may conduct themselves with airs and aloofness, Bob Dee subsists as the outlier, ever reachable, ever reliable. I have known him in moments of urgency, in hours of need, and in the thick of doubt. And always, always, he is there, responding, encouraging, connecting, supporting. I am not the only one who has tasted this blessing. He has been this way to many, to multitudes.

Momodu’s life is an endless cascade of compassion, a man who gives as though his soul were stitched with surplus. To him, helping others is not a gesture; it is his reflex. He wears empathy like a second skin. He lifts without lording. He serves without seeking applause. He remembers names, dreams, and birthdays. He listens when others are too busy posturing. He affirms when the world chooses to ignore.

This is the enduring essence of Bashorun Dele Momodu. He doesn’t just support; he sustains. But to speak of Bob Dee and not speak of Ovation is to light a lamp and hide it beneath a bushel. The empire he built through that luminous magazine has become both mirror and megaphone for the African story. Ovation International has immortalised glamour, captured greatness, and chronicled history with a lens both intimate and grand. It is the continent’s coffee-table diary, our social scripture.

In the golden pages of Ovation lie the hopes, homes, and high points of African excellence. Yet, beyond the glamour lies grit, the audacity of a man who defied exile and silence, who turned rejection into revolution, who rose from the ashes of adversity to become the toast of presidents, queens, and commoners alike. From the palaces of Accra to the ballrooms of London, from the corridors of Aso Rock to the streets of Lagos, his camera has clicked with purpose, and his pen has poured with precision.

He is, without exaggeration, the most accomplished society journalist of his generation — perhaps any generation. But Dele Momodu is not just a chronicler of kings. He has, in his time, sought to be one, not for pomp but purpose. His foray into politics, most notably his presidential aspiration, wasn’t borne of ego but of empathy. He looked at Nigeria and wept with her. He looked at our broken systems and dared to dream differently.

His politics is the persuasion of the heart, not anchored in bitterness or tribal arithmetic, but in vision, values, and voice. A statesman in temperament, a patriot in calling, he is one of the very few public intellectuals who has successfully married media, morality, and nation-building.

Even when not on the ballot, his columns are campaigns for conscience. He speaks truth to power, yet never loses his dignity. He criticises with clarity but without cruelty. He belongs to the rare breed of men who can befriend kings yet kneel beside paupers with equal honour.

It is impossible to mention the name Dele Momodu without hearing echoes of gratitude from all corners. There are media entrepreneurs whose first bylines were blessed by his edits. There are photographers who bought their first cameras from his largesse. There are widows and orphans whose tears he dried silently, without a press release or a photo op.

To his friends, he is faithful. To his staff, he is fatherly. To his juniors, he is a bridge. To strangers, he is surprisingly accessible. He does not hoard his success; he scatters it like seeds. Indeed, I have watched him give — his time, his network, his counsel, his soul — until you wonder if he leaves anything for himself. And yet, each time he gives, he grows richer. Such is the mystery of magnanimity.

At sixty-five, what more can be said of such a man? Perhaps only this: that Nigeria must pause to honour him. Especially the Fourth Estate — the sacred tribe of truth-tellers and ink-stained prophets. For Dele Momodu has been one of our most luminous stars, our most honourable heralds.

He has fought to protect the dignity of the press even in his darkest days. He has modelled what it means to be fearless, yet not reckless. Bold, yet never brash. His name is a currency of credibility in a world increasingly bankrupt of integrity.

Let no headline forget him. Let no hall of fame omit him. Let every newsroom whisper his name in reverence. And let every young journalist know that it is possible to soar without selling out, to build without betraying, to write with both fire and feeling.

As I write this, I do not write as a detached observer. I write as one who has been a beneficiary of his grace, one among thousands. I write as one who has sat under his counsel, who has walked in the light of his mentorship, who has seen firsthand what it means to lead with love.

Bashorun Dele Momodu has lived a life far beyond mere existence; he has lifted others with every step, raising dreams, opening doors, and steadying trembling hands often with quiet grace. His success has never been a solitary triumph, it has always been shared and offered freely, like sunlight spilling over a darkened path.

Some men walk through life, leaving footprints that fade in the wind. But a rare few blaze across the sky like constellations, their brilliance undimmed by time, their presence a guiding light for generations. Momodu is one such luminary, a man whose every step has carved pathways for others to follow. At 65, he stands tall in years and towers in spirit. Time has not dimmed his shine; it has only enriched its glow, adding depth to his compassion and strength to his convictions.

So today, I do not just honour a man; I celebrate a movement. A living symbol of generosity. A sage who speaks with both pen and presence. A sentinel of truth, standing watch over decency in an often cruel world.

Happy birthday, Bob Dee.

May your days be long, your joy unshaken, and your tribe forever flourish.

Featured

Four Gospel Artistes Found Dead inside Lagos Music Studio

Published

2 days ago

February 8, 2026

Eric

A gospel musician, Matthew Ogundele, and three members of his crew, have been found dead inside a music studio in the Abraham Adesanya area of Ajah, Lagos State.

The other victims were identified as Itunu Ogundele, Joseph Sanya, and a blogger, Matthew Awosanya, popularly known as JoesTv.

Reports said that the deceased were invited to minister on Tuesday, the second day of a three-day birthday praise programme organised by fellow gospel artiste, Olanireti Akinbola.

Reports quoting a police source said the artistes arrived for the programme in the evening and performed late into the night.

Owing to the late hour, they reportedly decided to stay the night in the studio, where they were later discovered dead the following morning.

“The convener organised a three-day birthday praise which began on Monday. Matthew Ogundele and his crew were billed to minister on Tuesday. The programme lasted late, so they decided to sleep over in the studio. It was the next morning that information filtered in that their lifeless bodies had been found,” the source said.

A Christian blog, Omojesu, also reported the incident in a Facebook post, stating that the victims opted to stay overnight because of the distance between the studio and their homes.

“In pursuit of a better life, a blogger known as JoesMediaTv and three musicians were reportedly invited to perform at a virtual birthday praise event at a studio around Ajah. Due to the distance, they decided to sleep over. Sadly, they were said to have passed away in their sleep,” the post read.

The matter was subsequently reported at the Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, while colleagues and friends of the deceased have taken to social media to demand justice.

Images circulating online show traces of blood around the noses, mouths, and ears of the victims, triggering public concern and speculation over the circumstances of their deaths.

Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the case was reported on Wednesday by the studio owner, Akintayo Akinbola, who is also the husband of the celebrant.

According to her, Akinbola told the police that he left the artistes in his studio – located within the HFP Shopping Complex – on Tuesday night after buying food for them while they prepared for a music concert.

“He stated that the artistes returned to the studio with the food while he went home. However, at about 11am on Wednesday, he returned and discovered that the studio door was locked from inside.

“He raised the alarm, and the door was forced open. Upon entry, the lifeless bodies of the four artistes were found inside the studio,” Adebisi said.

She added that detectives immediately visited the scene and documented their findings, noting that no visible signs of violence were observed on the bodies.

“The corpses were taken to the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, where a medical doctor confirmed them dead. They were later deposited at the Mainland General Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation,” she said.

Adebisi also disclosed that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, for comprehensive investigation to determine the exact cause of death.

Featured

Top Society Holds Eight Day Fidau Prayer, Grand Reception for The Otunba Adekunle Ojora

Published

2 days ago

February 8, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The intimidating personality of The Otunba Adekunle Ojora, a prince of Lagos, was brought to the fore earlier in the week, when the who’s who in the society turned up to honour his memory at the Eight Day Fidau Prayer held in his honour at the Eko Hotels and Suites, in Lagos.

The ceremony, as solemn as it was meant to be drew gather men and women of influence, whose paths have crossed with the deceased, while he was alive. The Otunba Ojora died at the age of 93.

The events of the day was separated unto two sections: the first was the Prayers proper, which were conducted at the Ballroom of Eko Hotels, while the second, a grand reception, followed immediately after.

The Prayer, which lasted within two hours, was supervised by Sheikh (Dr) Sulaiman Farouq Onikijipa, and assisted by other Sheikhs from Lagos Central Mosque.

In his sermon, Sheikh Onikijipa extolled the virtues of the deceased, thanking God for granting him a long life of imput and impact on the society.

He admonished the congregation of listeners to toe the line of humanity, which Chief Ojora followed while alive, and leave an enduring name of positivity before departing the earth, noting that everyone would be remembered for what they did in their lifetime, just as the crowd that turned out for Adekunle Ojora is a testimony of how impactful upon humanity he lived his life.

With the conclusion of the prayers, and hearty pleasantries exchanged among worshippers, most of which were high profile networking as the environment was filled with the class of men and women of means.

Immediately after the prayer, the congregation moved to the Convention Hall of the same Eko Hotels and Suites, where a generous and sumptuous reception was held, with popular stand-up comedian, Tunde Adewale aka Tee A, anchored and supervised with the king of juju music, King Sunny Ade, and also the Vintage Band thrilling the audience with soulful and evergreen music.

Among A-list invitees, who storm the venue in person, clad in either the ankara asoebi attire or white traditional wear with brown fila cap or gele to match were Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Justice of Federation, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, former Presidential Candidate and Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi and Wife, former Gov of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, former Gov of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi & wife, Publisher of ThisDay Newspaper and Arise News, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, Hajia Bola Shagaya, Mr Kola Abiola, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, former Gov of Bauchi State Ahmed Adamu Mua’zu, former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba & wife, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyanku & wife, Chief Francis Ogboro & wife, Mr Greg Uansaru, Mr Timi Alaibe, Mr Wale Tinubu, Alhaja Tinubu, General Ike Nwanchukwu (retd) and wife, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Obafemi Hamzat, Pastor & Pastor (Mrs) Paul Adefarasin of House on the Rocks, the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao & his Olori, among a host of others.

The event was hosted by the former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who is married to the daughter of the deceased, Mrs. Toyin Saraki. Also present at the occasion was the deceased’s widow, Mrs. Ojuolape.

With good music, indepth networking and heartfelt condolences, the farewell of the nonagenarian was observed even as various local and continental dishes, with choice beverages made the rounds to the full satisfaction of the guests.

A highly principled businessman, Adekunle Ojora was born on June 13, 1932, into the distinguished Ojora Royal Family of Lagos, where he grew with a deeply-rooted tolerance for the history, culture and traditional governance of the Yoruba race and Lagos in particular. He died on January 28, 2026.

His lineage placed him among the foremost royal families in the state, a heritage he upheld with dignity throughout his long life. Over several decades, he emerged as one of the most influential figures within Lagos’ traditional institutions, commanding respect across royal, cultural and civic circles.

Ojora was a member of the Ojora and Adele royal families of Lagos and was himself the holder of the chieftaincy of the Otunba of Lagos.

The Otunba Adekunle Ojora would be remembered as a quintessential gentleman, astute businessman, excellent in speech, dignified in conduct, and deeply respected across generations.

For as many as those who know him, Ojora has for decades, remained a familiar and revered presence in elite social and cultural spaces, where his highly sought-after counsel and calm disposition have proved relevant and needful.

He is also known for his refined lifestyle and strong family values, an embodiment of a “brand of old-school nobility that earned him admiration well beyond wealth or status. He was often described as a man of honour whose life reflected discipline, tradition, and unwavering integrity.

Otunba Adekunle Ojora is survived by his wife, Erelu Ojuolape Ojora, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Featured

Glo Boosts Lagos Security with N1bn Donation to LSSTF

Published

4 days ago

February 6, 2026

Eric

In a landmark gesture underscoring its enduring commitment to national development and public safety, communication giant, Globacom, has donated ₦1 billion to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), to strengthen security infrastructure across Nigeria’s commercial capital. The contribution stands among the most significant private-sector interventions from the telecommunications industry to the Fund in recent years and reinforces Globacom’s position as a responsible and patriotic corporate citizen.

The donation follows Globacom’s participation in the LSSTF-organised Private Sector Breakfast Meeting with CEOs, hosted by the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, January 30, 2026. The high-level forum emphasised deeper collaboration between government and business on security, innovation and economic resilience—an agenda Globacom has consistently supported through sustained social investment.

Expressing appreciation, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Fund, Dr Ayo Ogunsan, described Globacom’s gesture as “a powerful demonstration of corporate citizenship and a strategic investment in the stability of Lagos State.” He noted that the LSSTF was established to bridge funding gaps in security infrastructure and therefore relies heavily on voluntary contributions from corporate bodies and well-meaning partners.

According to Dr Ogunsan, the ₦1 billion donation will significantly enhance the Fund’s capacity to address critical priorities for 2026, including multipurpose security helicopters and drones, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), water cannons, digital communication equipment and Smart CCTV systems.

These assets are central to proactive policing, rapid response and intelligence-led operations across the state.

Reacting to the development, a senior executive of Globacom described the donation as an extension of the company’s long-standing belief in Nigeria’s future. “At Globacom, we see security not as a government burden alone, but as a shared responsibility. When people feel safe, enterprise grows, creativity flourishes and hope becomes practical,” the official said. “Our support for the LSSTF is about protecting the everyday dreams of millions of Lagosians.”

Globacom’s intervention is consistent with its long-standing approach to social responsibility—practical, timely and aligned with national priorities. Over the past decade, the company has supported relief efforts for flood-affected communities, assisted displaced persons, advanced youth skills through structured training programmes, and invested in education, culture and digital inclusion. These initiatives reflect a philosophy of giving that privileges institutional impact over personal acclaim.

Dr Ogunsan also urged Lagosians to support organisations that invest in the safety and development of the state. “When companies step forward to secure our environment, residents should reciprocate by patronising them. Their support directly impacts the protection of lives, property and economic activity,” he said.

By strengthening the LSSTF, Globacom is investing directly in the conditions that enable commerce to thrive—safety, confidence and stability. With this support, the Fund is poised to scale its interventions further, reinforcing Lagos State’s position as the country’s safest and most vibrant commercial hub.

As Lagos continues its journey toward global competitiveness, Globacom’s partnership with the LSSTF stands as a model of how the private sector can help secure shared prosperity.

In an industry built on signals, Globacom’s clearest signal remains trust—earned through consistency, conscience and action.