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Tears of Joy, Fulfilled Dreams: Dele Momodu at 65

Published

7 months ago

May 18, 2025

Eric

By Michael Abimboye

The 65th birthday celebration of Aare Dele Momodu was nothing short of a grand, soul-stirring festival of memories, milestones, and miracles. For me, my story with Aare is a profound bond of a father and son, one etched in admiration and unwavering loyalty.

The world already reveres him as a global citizen, a cultural ambassador, and an elder statesman. But what the world may not know is that his 65th birthday celebration began not with applause, but with tears of joy that first flowed in the ancient town of Modakeke, Osun State. Yet, the true wellspring of emotions burst forth in Ibadan, where my leader, His Excellency Governor Ademola Adeleke, was moved to tears.

In Modakeke, the Aare of Iwo transformed his family home. A structure rebuilt in just three months and handed it over to his beloved elder sister, Mrs. Feyisara. But this wasn’t just a house; it was a monument of memory and meaning. The new edifice, exquisitely crafted, now cradles the final resting place of their father, the late Pa Jacob Momodu. And because Aare was born in a church, he lovingly erected a new church behind the house along Ondo Road, a tribute to faith, family, and beginnings.

At the unveiling, I stood humbled as Aare Dele Momodu and his sister embraced, both unable to contain their tears. They must have journeyed back in time. To those difficult days, over five decades ago, when they were evicted for unpaid rent. But today, “Ajani,” has rewritten their story with grace and glory.

Next came the unveiling in Ihievbe, his ancestral hometown, where he built a magnificent country home christened “The Jacob & Joseph Momodu Country Home.” Although I couldn’t be there in person as I had the honour of attending my dear friend Emmanuel Omolala’s wedding, I followed every beautiful moment through social media. And what I saw? Ihievbe was wrapped in joy, glowing like Christmas morning.

It was the triumphant return of a son of the soil. An Omo Wále. The naysayers who once claimed that “Ajani has no roots here” now sit silenced, their doubts buried under the grandeur of his presence and legacy.

But the true crescendo, the “mother of all tears,” unfolded in Ibadan, during the inauguration of the Dele Momodu Leadership Center in the prestigious Alalubosa Estate. There, before an audience of dignitaries and dreamers, Governor Ademola Adeleke was overwhelmed with emotion. His tears, heartfelt and profound, he told the story of a man whose family once couldn’t afford rent in the early ’70s, but who now, through divine favour and sheer resilience, has built a sanctuary of scholarship where students and researchers can study without financial burden.

Those tears from Governor Adeleke became a mirror for Aare Dele Momodu’s own. A cascade of gratitude, remembrance, and hope.

For Chief Momodu, this milestone wasn’t about fanfare or feasting. It was about impact. About giving. About legacy. Even without holding public office, he has poured back into the society that raised him, with the heart of a servant-leader.

Now that Aare has ascended into the sacred circle of Nigeria’s elder statesmen, the next five years of Aare should be dedicated to raising new torchbearers, future Dele Momodus who will continue the legacy of excellence, humility, and nation-building.

Featured

Dangote Launches Historic ₦1trn Scholarship Scheme for 1.3m Students

Published

8 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Eric

The Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), Aliko Dangote, has launched a ₦1 trillion scholarship programme targeting more than 1.3 million Nigerian students over the next decade.

The initiative, the largest private-sector education support scheme in Nigeria’s history, will begin in 2026 with ₦100 billion disbursed annually across all 774 local governments.

The programme focuses on vulnerable learners, supporting undergraduate STEM students, technical trainees, and secondary school girls through tuition aid, study materials, and essential learning supplies.

It will be implemented through a fully digital, merit-based system in partnership with NELFUND, JAMB, NIMC, NUC, NBTE, WAEC and NECO.

Dangote said the intervention is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future, stressing that financial hardship—not lack of talent—is the major barrier keeping many young people out of school. He added that 25 percent of his wealth has been committed to sustaining the Foundation’s long-term programmes.

Vice President Kashim Shettima described the scheme as a transformative act of nation-building, noting that it complements government reforms in basic, tertiary and technical education.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa said the programme aligns with the administration’s goal of transitioning Nigeria into a knowledge-driven economy, while Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, pledged the governors’ full support.

Traditional rulers including the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Dauda Bage, who chairs the programme’s steering committee, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, praised the initiative as unprecedented in scope and impact.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed also commended the scheme, saying it will create conditions for children to learn and families to thrive.

The scholarship initiative reinforces the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s mission to expand opportunities, drive social impact and improve the wellbeing of communities across Nigeria.

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Yakubu, Fani-Kayode, Ikpeazu, Others Scale Senate Screening Hurdle for Ambassadorial Positions

Published

23 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Eric

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Thursday, approved the nomination of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, for appointment as ambassador.

Other nominees cleared by the committee include former Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau, ex-special adviser on new media to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, former presidential aide, Senator Ita Enang, and Senator Grace Bent.

Also confirmed were former INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu; former Governor of Enugu, State Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and former Governor of Abia State, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, among others.

The screening session, conducted in batches of five nominees each, experienced a mild drama during Omokri’s turn.

Senators Mohammed Ali Ndume and Adams Oshiomhole openly disagreed on how his clearance should proceed.

After Omokri’s batch had introduced themselves, Ndume moved a motion to allow the nominees to take a bow and leave.

Some senators, including Oshiomhole, indicated they wanted to comment.

The Committee Chairman, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, recognised Oshiomhole to speak, but Ndume insisted that his motion should be seconded before allowing further interventions.

This led to a sharp disagreement between the two senators.

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Tinubu Reiterates Directive on Withdrawal of VIP Police Protection

Published

2 days ago

December 10, 2025

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has insisted on his earlier directive ordering the withdrawal of police officers from very important persons (VIPs) in the country.

On November 23, Tinubu ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to VIPs across the country during a security meeting with the inspector-general of police (IGP), the chiefs of army and air staff, and the director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The president said the move was aimed at boosting police presence in communities, especially remote areas where stations are understaffed and citizens remain vulnerable to attacks.

Speaking at the opening of the federal executive council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, Tinubu warned against non-compliance and directed Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA); Ibrahim Gaidam, minister of police; and Kayode Egbetokun, the IGP, to follow up on the implementation of the order.

The president noted that police officers were trained to protect the lives and property of citizens, particularly the most vulnerable in society, adding that the protection of a select group of VIPs is not their responsibility.

The president ordered Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior, to make arrangements for the replacement of police officers by civil defence corps.

“If you have any problem because of the nature of your assignments, please contact the IGP and get my clearance,” he said.

“The National Security and Civil Defence Corps are trained for VIP protection, and they are armed too.

“We face challenges here and there of kidnapping, banditry and terrorism. We need all forces utilised. I know some people are exposed; we will make the exceptions. The civil defence is very much around.”

Tinubu said there is a need to mobilise the police appropriately due to the country’s security challenges.