DELE MOMODU

THE FIRST 60 YEARS

replicate and kick us out, including international brands like OK and Hello magazines but they couldn’t. We’ve been with the same Printers in Enfield, United Kingdom, for about 20 years now, in order not to compromise the excellent quality we are famed for.

Our originality and innovation have contributed immensely to our success. Also, we’ve refused to rest on our oars. We’ve spared no expense to maintain our status and lead.

Many are keenly following the progress of the Boss Newspaper. This is a departure from the entertainment thrust of Ovation. Will there be a resurgence of Ovation online or periodic print runs?

We have consistently maintained our flagship magazine Ovation International but felt the need to diversify into other aspects of media, including online newspaper, The Boss, Ovation Television and social media engagements. We have been successful in all, but our biggest revelation has been our public relations arm which has attracted the patronage of who’s who in Nigeria and beyond overtime.

With the pandemic making digital access an essential, a lot of people believe this is going to be a huge blow for the traditional print media whose share of the ad pie has been shrinking already. What’s your take on this?

Fortunately, we have mastered how to respond promptly and positively to every situation we confront from time to time. We have never been left behind by the advancement of technology and social media. My latest interview sessions on Instagram live have become one of the best interventions during this COVID-19 pandemic and we hope to blaze the trail for others as usual

Looking back at when you started, would you say it was easier running a media business back then, as opposed to now?

I won’t say it was easier starting Ovation in 1996. I will rather admit that we’ve been extremely lucky and blessed with staying power and tenacity. Our reputation and integrity have made us the favourite of our amazing clients and ardent readers who always trust us to deliver.

About 10 years ago, you launched a presidential campaign, are you still nursing an ambition in politics? Will you run for office again?

I don’t see me contesting a Presidential election again due to the hard lessons I learned in 2011. Some of the lessons can be listed as follows:

A. That Nigeria is still largely controlled by a Mafia who determines who goes next in a game of thrones combined with musical chairs.

B. You cannot win unless you secure the ticket of either of the two leading political parties.

C. Politics is too capital intensive and only the big parties or a stupendously wealthy individual can mobilize substantial resources.

D. Ethnicity and religion are major factors. It is obvious to me that the Moslem North will play a fast game on the South to retain power in 2023. They have mastered the game well, if not perfectly. And they possess a cast iron template by controlling INEC (the electoral commission), the security apparatuses, access to the Central Bank, control of the biggest donors, local and foreign. They seem more and better united at any point in time while the South is usually in disarray.

E. I foresee the North heading towards South-South for partnership if the South West proves too stubborn to deal with. They might also consider the South East in the hope that they can buy two regions (SE/SS) for the price of one. So, it makes more sense to continue to consolidate my business than waste energy and resources on flights of fancy.

You’re quite vocal on social media. As a leading voice in Journalism and the polity, what do you hope to achieve from this?

I had always been vocal long before the coming of social media. I see social media as only a more powerful tool for the amplification of my thoughts and beliefs. Writers are supposed to be the veritable conscience of the nation. A nation where popular journalists fail to use their popularity and influence to affect their country positively is just useless. The media has a major role to play in national development and nation-building. The collapse of education has drastically reduced the quality of healthy conversations. Some of us must make the necessary sacrifice to engage our youths hoping some would imbibe the right spirit.

Do you think the Nigerian youth has enough exemplary role models that will help shape their minds for leadership, 5, 10 or 20 years from today?

I’m very positive that there is hope for Nigeria in the future. Many of our youths now see and tend to flock to the right calibre of role models. This will help in galvanising them massively for the onerous tasks of dreaming big.

You were born the same year Nigeria received her independence. Now at 60, what is your most important historical lesson about our country?

I was born in the year of our independence which means I have grown alongside my dear beloved country, but my country has not developed exponentially. This is very worrisome. The object lesson is that age is not about how long but how well.

You have often talked about your humble background and the early days in Ibadan. How has this shaped your life’s philosophy?

I was born and raised in the ancient town of Ile-Ife, a cultural city in the mould of the city of Rome. Ife prepared me for the marathon race of life. I was taught to always remember the son of whom I am, a big lesson I have kept very handy like my holy grail.

You are the quintessential family man, but a career as successful as yours is a difficult one to balance alongside a growing family. How did you cope?

Combining my hectic life by trying to be a good family man has been very frustrating for me as a father and head of the family. While it is good to have all the time in the world for your family, it is also not too perfect to appear too laid back and jobless. No one respects an ordinary man.

What would you say to your younger self today?

At 60, I count and number my days. I now have ten years to 70, twenty years to 80, if I’m that lucky. It means I have little time left to achieve so much and leave an even worthier legacy behind. I constantly remind myself now that there is no time to burn or waste.

What does being “Dele Momodu “mean?

Dele Momodu has become a global citizen who now must be conscious that all eyes are on him because he is an inspiration to a myriad of people.

I was born in the year of our independence which means I have grown alongside my dear beloved country, but my country has not developed exponentially. This is very worrisome. The object lesson is that age is not about how long but how well.