65 Amazing Facts About Dele Momodu As He Celebrates 65 Today – By AZUH AMATUS
By Daylight
May 16, 2025
Dele Momodu
1 Name – Ayòbámidélé Àbáyòmí Ojútelégàn Àjàní Momodu, globally known as Dele Momodu.
2 Chief Momodu is a leading Nigerian journalist, columnist, publisher, businessman, politician and motivational speaker.
3 Highly-connected Momodu is the CEO and publisher of Ovation International, a premium celebrity magazine.
4 Bob Dee as he is fondly called, was born on May 16, 1960, in Ile Ife, Osun State, south west, Nigeria.
5 Although, born and raised in Ile Ife, he hails from Edo State.
6 The cerebral and celebrated journalist obtained his first degree in Yoruba in 1982, from the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State.
7 He also holds a master’s degree in English Literature, obtained in 1988, from the same revered higher institution.
8 In 2015, Chief Momodu officially launched his wave making Ovation TV.
9 He is also the founder and publisher of leading online newspaper, The Boss.
10 Widely travelled Momodu writes a weekly column, “Pendulum”, published every Saturday in Thisday newspaper.
11During his NYSC between 1982 and 1983, he lectured at the Oyo State College of Arts and Science.
12 In 1988, Momodu got his first job as staff writer with African Concord magazine, owned by late billionaire, MKO Abiola.
13 Amazingly, a year later, he was transferred to Weekend Concord as a pioneer staff.
14 Hardworking and brilliant Momodu made history when he wrote the first cover story for the paper in March 1989.
15 As a passionate and dedicated journalist, Momodu also contributed to other publications in the stable: such as National Concord, Sunday Concord, Business Concord and the Yoruba newspaper, Isokan.
16 In 1989, barely a year with the newspaper, Momodu was elevated to its literary editor.
17 Again, for his outstanding performance, within six months, he became news editor of the Weekend Concord.
18 High flying Momodu between May 1990 and September 1991, edited late May Ellen Ezekiel’s Classique, a celebrity magazine.
19 Interestingly, that appointment at Classique made him the highest paid editor in Nigeria, then.
20 Bob Dee is the creator and founder of the annual high end event dubbed Ovation Red Carol.
21 The annual gathering of the rich and famous was birthed by Momodu in 2008.
22 Momodu’s Ovation Red Carol is held every December, and has become one of West Africa’s most popular annual Christmas high profile events.
23 Creatively restless Momodu, has repackaged and rechristened the A-list show, which is now known as Ovation Carol and Awards.
24 Unknown to many, Momodu started Ovation International in 1996, while still in exile.
25 Bob Dee’s Ovation International, is unarguably one of Africa’s most popular celebrity magazines.
26 Ovation International, which is Momodu’s gift to the world, is also reputed to be the only bilingual magazine in Africa, having editions printed in both English and French, respectively.
27 The veteran journalist was a member of the Labour Party (LP) and 2011 presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP).
28 He is currently a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and one of its presidential aspirants in the 2023 presidential election.
29 Chief Momodu was very, very close to the late MKO Abiola, during his life time.
30 He was also a prominent member of the late martyr of democracy’s presidential campaign organisation.
31 Momodu was arrested and detained at Alagbon Close in Lagos for his pro democracy activities and vocal views, after the annulment of the 12 June presidential election.
32 He fled into exile and settled in the UK, when the military government of late Sani Abacha tried arresting and charging him with treason, due to his pro democracy views.
33 Momodu once ran a thriving public relations outfit called Celebrities Goodwill Limited.
34 Some of his billionaire clients while the PR firm lasted were MKO Abiola, Dr. Mike Adenuga and Hakeem Bello Osagie.
35 Bob Dee was once a major bread distributor for his mentor Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, who owned Wonderloaf bakery.
36 Also, between 1983 and 1985, he was private secretary to the former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Chief Akin Omoboriowo.
37 Momodu equally served the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, by managing the Motel Royal Limited owned by the late flamboyant monarch.
38 While studying for his post-graduate degree in English literature, Momodu, was contributing articles to leading newspapers such as: The Guardian, Sunday Tribune and other Nigerian-based publications.
39 Momodu was awarded an honorary doctorate degree (Ph.D) from the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana, in 2016.
40 His name, Ayòbámidélé, means “my joy has followed me home.
41 Meticulous Momodu is the last of three siblings.
42 The media mogul who dines and wines with VIPs globally, lost his father at the young age of 13.
43 He relied hugely and heavily on his dear mother and relatives for support, during those trying periods.
44 Momodu’s loving and caring mother died on May 18, 2007.
45 His father hails from Ihievbe, Owan East LGA of Edo State.
46 He migrated to Ile-Ife, Osun State and married Bob Dee’s mother, a beautiful Yoruba woman with tribal marks, from Gbongan, Olufi.
47 Bob Dee is happily married to the delectable and amiable Mobolaji Abiodun, nee Adaramaja.
48 Their fairytale wedding, which is still as strong as the rock of Gibraltar, was solemnised on December 19, 1992.
49 Momodu and his delectable wife are blessed with four lovely children: Eniafe, Pekan, Korewa and Yole.
50 Momodu has received numerous awards, recognitions and honours for his immense contributions, in the fields of media, business, politics, literature, music and fashion, respectively.
51 He’s also an accomplished author with books such as: Pendulum: The Writings of Dele Momodu (1&2).
52 Kind-hearted Bob Dee, is also very close to the current president of Ghana, John Mahama.
53 According to Momodu, his first encounter with Ghana was on July 25, 1995, the day he escaped from Nigeria and started his journey into exile.
54 Bashorun Momodu is also a close confident of Dr. Mike Adenuga, the billionaire founder and chairman of Globacom.
55 Aside being a highly revered columnist and senior journalist, Bob Dee, is also a global citizen with international networks and contacts.
56 He meets and interacts regularly with world leaders including current and former presidents such as: Bill Clinton, late Queen Elizabeth of England and several others.
57 Aare as he’s also called is the founder and prime mover of the Dele Momodu Foundation.
58 Bob Dee is also the convener of the annual Dele Momodu Leadership Lecture.
59 The visionary and thinker is also the founder of the Dele Momodu Leadership Centre and Library (DMLCL), Ibadan, Oyo State.
60 In the words of Momodu: “DMLCL is a five-star facility for world class scholars seeking the most serene environment for landmark researches and innovations.”
61 Bob Dee says: “The DMLCL can accommodate four resident scholars at a time with full access to reading materials, feeding, internet access, rooftop relaxation and swimming pool.”
62 Basorun Momodu shares close birthday with his dear friend, the governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke. While the former holds today, May 16, the latter is every May 13.
63 He is also the founder of the very popular and prestigious House of Ovation, in Ghana.
64 In May 1988, Bob Dee relocated to Lagos to take up employment at MKO’s African Concord newsmagazine.
65 Very versatile Dele Momodu is also an actor. He dazzled movie buffs in the 2022 Nollywood film, Alagbara.
All of us at leading online newspaper, DAYLIGHT (www.backend.daylightng.com), are wishing Chief Dele Momodu, a happy and joyous birthday as he celebrates 65 years of impactful services and contributions to Nigeria, Africa and indeed, humanity, today, Friday, May 16, 2025.
Once again, happy birthday sir, enjoy your special day with smiles and thanksgiving.
Azuh Amatus, a multiple award winning journalist, is the publisher of leading online newspaper, DAYLIGHT (www.daylightng.com) and author of FAMOUS FACES…Interactions With Nollywood Stars And Stakeholders (1&2).
He can be reached via: 08023380008 or azuhamtus@yahoo.com
