The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has declared that the desires of Aare Dele Momodu as regards his intentions for the 2023 presidential election, will be manifested. The Ooni, who is also the head of Obas in the entire Yoruba race, also said that he will use his throne to pray for Momodu for the realization of his heart desires.
The Ooni made these remarks when Momodu, who is a presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), paid him a courtesy call in his palace Saturday.
Dele Momodu is a Nigerian journalist/publisher, businessman, and motivational speaker. He is the CEO and publisher of Ovation International, a magazine that has given publicity to people from all over the world, mainly in Africa. In 2015, he officially launched Ovation TV and subsequently launched an online newspaper called The Boss.
A graduate of University of Ife, (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) 1982, Dele Momodu holds a degree in Yoruba and a master’s degree in English Literature (1988). He lectured at the Oyo State College of Arts and Science in Ile-Ife, between 1982 and 1983 while on National Service. Between 1983 and 1985, he was private secretary to the former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Chief Akin Omoboriowo.
Speaking in Yoruba, the Ooni declared Momodu as a symbol of hard work and diligence, noting that emulating the aspirant will surely lead one to success at the end. He traced the trajectory of the chairman/CEO of the Ovation Media Group, whose brand keeps making waves across the globe, from his early childhood and as a child whose father left when he was only 13, saying that for any determined person, nothing shall be impossible.
Ooni warned that nobody should look down on the veteran journalist, as he has conquered many terrains in life, adding that his courage and daring attitude can fetch him all he ever desire.
Consequently, the Ooni unleashed prayers from the bottom of his heart upon the celebrated Nigerian, who was accompanied on the journey by his wife, Yeye Aare Mobolaji Momodu and a host of associates drawn from across all walks of life.
“Nobody should underrate Dele Momodu cause he is destined to achieve what he has set his mind to achieve. I will pray for you with this throne,” Ooni said.
Momodu had in 1986, served the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, managing the Motel Royal Limited owned by the monarch. Following Momodu’s resignation from the Motel Royal, he went on to study for his post-graduate degree in English literature. He was during this time contributing articles to the likes of The Guardian, Sunday Tribune and other Nigerian-based publications. On 30 July 2016, Dele was awarded with an honorary doctorate degree (PhD) from the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana, earning him the title “Doctor of Humane Letters”.
In May 1988, Dele Momodu got his first job as Staff Writer with African Concord magazine, owned by late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola. A year later, Momodu was transferred to Weekend Concord as a pioneer staff. He wrote the first cover story for the paper in March 1989. He also contributed to other publications such as the National Concord, Sunday Concord, Business Concord and the Yoruba newspaper Isokan.
In May 1989, he became Literary Editor, within six months he became News Editor of the Weekend Concord. Between May 1990 and September 1991 he edited May Ellen Ezekiel’s Classique, a celebrity magazine, an appointment that made him the highest paid editor in Nigeria. He resigned and tried his hand at doing business as a bread distributor for his mentor Chief Moshood Abiola, who owned “Wonderloaf”.
Aare Momodu has Kick-started the presidential sensitisation tour of Osun State with an emotional visitation to the gravesides of his mother, Mrs Gladys Arike Momodu in her Gbongan, Osun State, and father, Pa Jacob Momodu in Modakeke also in Osun State.
