Born
16 May 1960 (age 55)
Ile-Ife , Nigeria
Alma mater
Obafemi Awolowo University
Occupation
Journalist/CEO
Years active
Publishing 1996–present
Spouse(s)
Mobolaji Momodu (m. 1992)
Children
Pekan Momodu, Yole Momodu, Eniafe Momodu, Korewa
Momodu

Dele Momodu (born Ayòbámidélé Àbáyòmí Ojútelégàn Àjàní
Momodu; 16 May 1960) is a Nigerian Journalist/Publisher,
polemicist, businessman, philanthropist, actor 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. He owns a
restaurant in Ghana known as the House of Ovation.
Dele has received innumerable awards and honours, and
has garnered recognition for his work in the world of
business, politics, literature, the music industry and the
fashion industry in which he plays major roles. Tiwa
Savage , one of Nigeria's most popular singers has credited
Momodu for giving her career a kickstart by putting a
picture of her in Ovation International after he was invited to
a spectate a talent show in her school. Dele Momodu has
been seen at many social events and has now become an
international household name.
Dele writes a weekly article called PENdulum. They are
published every Saturday on the back page of Thisday
newspaper. The articles are praised for highlighting issues
in Nigeria, as well as discussing popular topics, current
events and famous people, often in a polemic/critical style.
And was a prominent voice for the APC presidential
Candidate at the 2015 general election in his country,
Nigeria .

EARLY LIFE

Ayobamidele, meaning "my joy has followed me home",
is the last of three siblings. He lost his Dad at the age of 13
relying on his Mum and relatives for support. Dele was
taught by his late Mum, who died on the 18th of May 2007,
[2] not to despair even when times are tough. This was
exemplified by her continual support of him even when
others had written him off. She had given him up to a third
chance at passing his WAEC ( Senior Secondary Exams )
Although his Mum's source of income was from petty
trading, and with two older children to care for, she laboured
hard to sustain her family, and in the words of Dele
Momodu "She didn't give up on me"

EDUCATION AND CAREER

Dele Momodu is a graduate of University of Ife, (now
Obafemi Awolowo University , Ile-Ife) 1982, Dele holds a
degree in Yoruba and a master's degree in English
Literature in 1988. He lectured at the Oyo State College of
Arts and Science in Ile-Ife , between 1982–83 while on
National Service. Between 1983–85, he was private
secretary to the former Deputy Governor of Ondo State,
Chief Akin Omoboriowo . In 1986, Dele Momodu served the
Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, managing the
Motel Royal Limited owned by the monarch. Following
Dele'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.

INVOLVEMENT WITH MKO ABIOLA

In May 1988, Dele Momodu got his first job as Staff Writer
with the African Concord magazine, owned by late Chief
Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola . A year later, he 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 edited May Ellen Ezekiel's Classique, a celebrity
magazine an appointment which made him the highest paid
editor in Nigeria. He resigned and tried his hands on doing
business as a bread distributor for his mentor Chief
Moshood Abiola, who owned the 'Wonderloaf'. Following
this, Dele Momodu started a public relations outfit,
Celebrities-Goodwill Limited, which managed the accounts
of Chief Moshood Abiola, Dr Mike Adenuga, Mr Hakeem
Belo-Osagie and other distinguished Nigerians.

EXILE

In 1993, Dele resigned to join the Moshood Abiola
Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dele Momodu was
arrested and detained at Alagbon Close in Lagos, after the
annulment of the 12 June Presidential election by General
Ibrahim Babangida . He was severely punished for his views
but was undeterred. He was to be arrested in 1995 and
charged for treason by the Sani Abacha Government. He
was accused of being one of the brains behind the pirate
radio station, Radio Freedom later changed to Radio Kudirat,
after the cold-blooded murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola. Dele
Momodu managed to escape masquerading as a farmer
through Seme border into Cotonou, in Benin Republic, from
where he fled to Togo , Ghana and eventually to the United
Kingdom. [3] For three agonising years, Dele could not re-
enter his homeland, Nigeria . He has since been absolved of
all charges made by the Abacha administration.

OVIATION INTERNATIONAL

Dele Momodu started Ovation International in 1996 while still
in exile. After the death of MKO Abiola in prison and
subsequently, the death of his persecutor, Sani Abacha , Dele ended his exile. Since then, Dele has expanded Ovation
International, and it is now one of Africa's most popular
celebrity magazines. Ovation International is also reputed
for being the only bi-lingual magazine in Africa, having
editions printed in both English and French.

Ovation Red Carol

Dele Momodu has held an annual event every year since
2008 (except in 2010, due to the impending presidential
elections), known as the Ovation Red Carol (later changed to
Ovation Carol and Awards). The Red Carol is held every
December, and has become one of West Africa's most
popular annual Christmas events, often involving musical
performances, drama, fashion shows and award
presentations for varying charitable causes. From
2008-2012 it was held in Lagos, Nigeria, but was held in
Accra, Ghana in December 2013. In 2013, former president
of Ghana J.J. Rawlings attended, with Wyclef Jean as the
headline act, along with many other international
performers, including M.I , Ice Prince and Burna Boy from
Nigeria.

PRESIDENTIAL AMBITION

Dele Momodu announced his intention to run for the
presidential election of his homeland Nigeria, which was
held in 2011. On 12 January 2011, he emerged Presidential
Candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) after a
keenly contested party primaries between Dele Momodu,
Chief Martin Onovo and Atei Beredugo. Dele Momodu polled
169 votes to clinch the presidential ticket, whilst Onovo and
Beredugo polled 8 and 14 votes respectively.

Family and personal life
On 19 December 1992, Dele married his wife Mobolaji
Abiodun Momodu. They have four children known as
Pekan [] (1994), Yole (1996), Eniafe (1997) and Korewa
(2004).
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dele_Momodu

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And he's not proud to tell us that he's from Edo state.