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DELE MOMODU AT 60: A BROTHERHOOD MADE IN PARADISE

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4 years ago

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By: Olabode Opeseitan

Detest him with every fiber in your vein, treasure him with every air you breathe, or be apathetic to his style, philosophy, and essence, Ayobamidele Abayomi Ojutelegan Ajani Momodu is a man you could say has fulfilled his destiny at 60.

Dele Momodu is a member of the exclusive club of personalities who have unlocked the formula of how to effectively blend intellectualism with extrovertism and prime socialization. He is an accomplished man of letters, a media tycoon who redefined celebrity journalism in Africa and gifted the world Ovation Magazine, an inimitable celebration of momentous events in the lives of societal leaders since 1996. He is also a bold circumstantial politician who braved all odds to contest as a candidate, not an aspirant, for the highest office in Nigeria.

Start any conversation on any topic in any sphere, Dele Momodu will engage you with intellectual fluidity and sagacity. Drop the scope of the conversation to Owambe, a local lingo to describe feisty celebrations, Ajani will inject perspectives that will shock even Owambe’s most enthusiastic adherents. Take the tone of the conversation to the culinary realm, Ayobamidele will sooner let you know that he is just not a connoisseur of good food but a great cook who can, if the occasion arises, challenge chefs in michelin star restaurants to a cooking duel. He is as versatile in arts as he is in economics and politics.

Dele Momodu was moulded into this all-rounder by years of diligence, perseverance and exactitude. When he needs to fight, he fights like a wounded lion. When he needs to reconcile and move on, he does so without holding tenaciously to the grudges of the past. Whenever he falls, he picks up the pieces and learns his lessons. He definitely has his shortcomings but in his steely resolve, he has not allowed his foibles to drown his vision. Fate has also fortuitously played a great part in his journey.

He was groomed and grilled by the furnace called Street of Life. As a son of a peasant, whose father, who he unfortunately lost when he was barely 13, worked at the Palace of the Ooni of Ife as a domestic help, rather than wallowing in self-pity, Dele would challenge himself that he must grow up to lead the life of luxury that his father’s employers and their family led. Not one to allow the harsh circumstances of his formative years to scorch his dreams to extinction, Abayomi worked assiduously as he progressed in life, working different jobs and different shifts. He was a private secretary to Chief Akin Omoboriowo and a hotel manager for Ooni Okunade Sijuade. He has also been a teacher, a writer, a journalist, an editor of May Ellen Ezekiel’s Classique Magazine and Prince Nduka Obaigbena’s Leaders and Company, the forebarer of Thisday newspapers, a PR practitioner and finally a publisher and businessman. Today, he is living that dream, even better than some of the children of that era’s nouveau rich.

Just as the aphorism goes that you are what you read, see, hear, write and speak, Dele Momodu became what he is today largely by what he read, heard and also experienced during his trajectory, a mix and match of deprivation, comfort and opulence. He is a voracious reader, remarkable wordsmith and spellbinding writer, whose background as a graduate of Yoruba language served in good stead.

Ojutelegan is a man of vibrant tranquillity. He may be loud but by his own admission, it is for a purpose. In his world and line of business, Dele Momodu felt if he was not loud, it could mortally hurt his business. He is not willing to leave anything to chance in a society where many societal bigwigs of yesterday were forgotten within the twinkle of an eye mainly because they could not sustain their tempo or adapt swiftly to changing trends.

One of the earliest adopters of digital media, Dele Momodu has invested millions of seconds, thousands of hours and days to grow and wield a muscular influence in the digital space. It was a wise investment which has now become his largest medium of expression. Even his weekly column, Pendulum, through which he advocates his thoughts, is now read more online. You only need to spend an hour with him to realise how he is always on the ball, monitoring and tackling issues as they arise on the social media. An ardent believer in the philosophy of “ise lo’gun ise” (hard work is the panacea for poverty), not even his most vitriolic critic will utter a word to challenge his industriousness. Above all, Dele Momodu is a humanist, philanthropist and entrenched loyalist.

Chief Moshood Abiola died in 1998, about 22 years ago. Momodu could not be said to be MKO’s closest aide by the time he (MKO) paid the supreme sacrifice for the democracy we all now enjoy. Yet, nobody has consistently celebrated MKO more than him, even when his late benefactor has no way to know or acknowledge what his protege has been doing for him. Momodu could also have moved on or simply kept quiet but at every opportunity, he reminds all about the humongous contributions of Abiola, one of the most generous philanthropists Nigeria has ever been blessed with, to humanity.

I met this media trail blazer we all fondly call Bob Dee in the early 90s. We instantly took to each other. He was based in Lagos while my friend and brother, Professor Wale Adebanwi of Oxford University and I were based in Ibadan, plotting our steps up the ladder of life with other bright minds like Professor Adeolu Akande, the current Chairman of Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) and Dr (Pastor) Olusegun Olatunji, a former Managing Director of Nigerian Tribune. In spite of the space and distance, Bob Dee would always welcome every opportunity for us to be together either in Lagos or Ibadan. He shared generously of his time and scant resources not only with us but with numerous others around him, a tradition he maintains till this day. Whoever goes to Dele Momodu seeking his intervention to speak with any of his influential friends to resolve a pending issue is assured of his listening ears and affirmative action. Dele Momodu is far from perfect but he strives to be better.

Perhaps the greatest take away from the Dele Momodu success story is the compelling message for the millions of Nigerian youth living in extreme poverty today. The humbling experience you are passing through is not a life sentence to poverty, despair and perdition. Just like Bob Dee overcame the challenges of early life of deprivation, you can also make it if you persevere and work hard. An even deeper message in the Dele Momodu narrative was how he almost succumbed to the pressure of life and contemplated taking his own life. During his days in exile in London, gradually, life crept to a screeching halt for him. The pedal of his finances decelerated to zero. He could not cater for himself and family. He felt all hope was lost and decided to end it all. He was heading to where he would commit suicide when Chief Alex Duduyemi, who was also in England, got to know of his plan, called him on the phone and asked him to come straight to his office. That was how the suicide mission was averted. Bob Dee’s turn around story is a reinforcement of the famous expression that when there is life, there is hope.

In his distinctive nature as a very appreciative person, Bob Dee would tell anyone around him that I was his Angel Gabriel because I was often the person Dr. Mike Adenuga, the Globacom Chairman, sent to him at unique intervals. Acclaimed for his mind-blowing generousity, particularly to people he is fond of, as he is of Dele Momodu, Dr. Adenuga would at almost biannual intervals ask, “Bode, what do you think I can do for Dele for his kindness towards me?” As Bob Dee would often admit, those interventions by Dr. Adenuga always came in handy.

Dele Momodu is not only my friend but my big brother and confidant. He would always celebrate my professional competence beyond what modesty definitely would have allowed me to personally admit. He told Chief Leno Adesanya when he (Adesanya) wanted to openly make the case for the unjust manner the Federal Government shoved him aside from the Mambilla Power project, that if he needed the best person to handle the PR campaign for him, he should contact me. I was humbled when Chief Leno Adesanya mentioned that to me because Bob Dee did not even disclose that.

As our own Bob Dee breasts the Diamond tape, I can only wish him the very best life can offer as I congratulate him, his amazing wife, Madam Mobolaji and their beautiful children for reaching this milestone. Bob Dee, diamonds are forever! You will forever be a golden landmark in the lives of the thousands of people you have impacted. The time-tested Yoruba adage says a child who knows how to wash his hands clean will dine with elders. You have washed your hands clean, you have dined with elders, royalties and Presidents locally and internationally.

Now, you have become an elder in the land, it’s time for you to step up your role of identifying those younger ones in the society who are washing their hands clean metaphorically so that you can recommend more of them to elders of our land, kings and Presidents for special recognition as an incentive for greater performances. Happy 60th birthday, our own dear Bob Dee.

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Reactions as Korra Obidi travels to Hawaii for vacation after fans donated $50,000 for legal fee

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4 days ago

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May 13, 2024

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Nigerians across social media have begun to slam popular Nigerian-American singer and dancer, Korra Obidi, as she flew immediately to Hawaii in the United States after completing her GoFundMe $50,000 target.

Obidi created GoFundMe on Friday to seek a good lawyer, adding that she wants to overturn the right of her ex-husband, Justin Dean, over their kids.

According to her, she would need money to get a good lawyer, which is why she created the GoFundMe account to meet the target of $100,000.

The account generated over $50,000 raised from over 950 donors worldwide.

“As a mother, it’s time to fight for myself and my kids,” Obidi said. She also shared her GoFundMe account details, seeking the assistance of fans and friends.

However, on Sunday, the dancer, after raising the money, said during a live session on Facebook that she had plans for a vacation in Hawaii.

Her decision has been greeted by outrage from her fans, with many alleging that the main intent of the GoFundMe was never to file a suit against the husband but to lavish on her extravagant lifestyle.

Wanda Johnson, a Facebook user, said, “She got y’all’s money, now she’s at the airport. Some of you are so weak to believe her foolishness. She is always begging, scamming, and manipulating.”

“You are gradually becoming a professional beggar on social media,” one Chigoziri Ohochukwu on Facebook opined.

“Mad that she can’t post pictures because without posting pictures she can’t make money. She needs to post pictures of her kids to make money. But she would rather go to Hawaii than see.Her children sickening and people gave her $.Or whatever was on that go find me.People needs to report the go fund me everybody needs to report to get their money back,” a user who identifies as Jennifer Lynn Russell claimed.

Nene Peters stated, “WTF you was just on here crying about you need a lawyer now, you traveling. I’m done with you wow.”

“Two days ago she was crying for donation now she is traveling,” said Hermi Matilya

Meanwhile, Bridget O’Connell said, “Yeah I’m not gonna lie Traveling to Hawaii is crazy after receiving all that money for Lawyer girl! You shoulda did that in silence.”

Also, Mary Monique Napont said, “It’s none of your business lady. She is an influencer, performer, student, and most importantly a great mother. Leave her be. You are a part of the problem. She’s not hurting you in any way. If you don’t like her, don’t follow her. It’s that simple.”

Recall that the divorce and custody battle between Obidi and Dean has been on the public scene lately. Recent developments have granted Justin the right to restrict their two children from featuring on Obidi’s online content.

She posted a plea online, accusing Dean of abuse and “gaslighting” during their marriage, claiming he is now subjecting their daughters to similar treatment.

 

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Police declare Lagos socialite wanted for murder, cyber-stalking

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4 days ago

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May 13, 2024

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The Nigeria Police Force, on Sunday, declared a Lagos socialite and blogger, Dorcas Adeyinka, wanted for alleged cyber-stalking, abduction and murder, among others.

The police urged members of the public to “arrest and hand over the suspect to the nearest police station or the office of the IGP Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja.”

The police further described Adeyinka as a married female Yoruba blogger from Ekiti State and Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

She is said to be approximately 1.64m tall with an oval face, tribal marks, pointed nose, wide mouth, full and white dentition, and light-skinned with black eyes.

The police added that she lives in the United Kingdom, and frequently visits Ikeja, Ogudu and Fagba in Lagos State, as well as Otta and Sango in Ogun State.

Meanwhile, PUNCH Online had earlier reported that a Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, summoned two social media users for defaming Adeyinka by allegedly sharing her nude photo online.

In the court summons dated Thursday, May 9, 2024, which was obtained by our correspondent, Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna ordered the two defendants – Tolulope Adeoye aka Abike Jagaban, and Tolulope Odegbami aka Olowosibi – to appear in persons before the court on June 4, 2024, to answer the charges levelled against them by the complainant.

The summons followed a criminal complaint filed by the complainant’s lawyers led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of an Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor.

The socialite accused the defendants of sharing her nude photo on social media and ridiculing her.

The application partly read, “On March 5, 2022, Abike Jagaban shared the complainant’s nude pictures on YouTube, directing her followers to different online platforms where the complainant’s pictures were/are shared and ridiculed the complainant in the process.

“The video was captioned, ‘Abike Jagaban on Dorcas Adeyinka, aka TMS Blog.’ These actions have exposed the complainant to contempt, hatred and detestation as some people can be seen making disparaging remarks against the person of the complainant in the comment section of the above-referenced post. Abike Jagaban has also bullied the complainant in another video titled, ‘How Abike Jagaban bullied Dorcas Adeyinka,” among others.”

The complainant told the court that the alleged actions of the defendants constituted criminal defamation and contravened Section 391 of the Penal Code.

Meanwhile, in suit number CR/93/2024 with motion number MN/140/2024, Magistrate Iyanna ordered the complainant to serve the defendants with the criminal summons and all other subsequent processes of the court via their social media handles or pages @Tolulope Omolara Ghaba (Facebook) and @Princess Tolulope Ajike Olowosibi (Facebook).

The magistrate adjourned the matter till June 4, 2024, and ordered that the two defendants be present in court on the said date.

 

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Even if arrest warrant was illegally obtained, Bello should’ve appeared in court – Judge

Published

6 days ago

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May 10, 2024

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By Taiye Agbaje

 

Abuja, May 10, 2024 (NAN) A Federal High Court, Abuja on Friday granted the application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the former Governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to appear in court for his trial.

 

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, held that the former governor ought to appeared before the court before making any application.

 

He insisted that even if the arrest warrant was illegally obtained, the defendant (Bello) should have still shown up in court.

 

It would be tracked that the judge had, on April 23, fixed today for the ruling on the former governor’s application to set aside the arrest warrant against him.

 

The EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, had, on April 17, moved the ex-parte application for the arrest warrant.

 

But Bello’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, on April 23, prayed the court to set aside the arrest warrant against their client

.

He canvassed that the arrest warrant had become unnecessary since their lead counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, had accepted the service of the charge on behalf of the ex-governor.

 

He argued that the arrest warrant order, having been made before the charge ought to be set aside suo motu (on its own accord, without any request by the parties involved).

 

The senior lawyer argued that contrary to the submission of the lawyer who appeared for EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, that the ex-governor must be in court first before any application could be entertained being a criminal case.

 

He said that the anti-graft agency also made an application on April 18 after the warrant arrest was issued to EFCC on April 17 and that the court granted it.

 

The lawyer submitted that the arrest warrant was issued in favour of the EFCC by the court in violation of fair hearing to their client.

 

He noted that the complainant made an application for substituted service on 18th day of April after the arrest warrant had been issued on 17th day of April and today, my noble lord granted it.

 

“The court must satisfy itself that the defendant (Bello) will not be prejudiced in fairness if the warrant of arrest continues to hang on his neck, having been made before service of the charge contrary to Section 394 of ACJA,” Adeola argued.

 

He argued that justice should be a three-way traffic; that is, justice to the prosecution, the defendant and the public.

 

He said for Bello to appear in court, he must have the notion that he would get justice.

 

Adedipe also argued that the EFCC was an unconstitutional body because its establishment was not ratified by the 36 states of the federation.

 

He said that for the EFCC to become a constitutional body, the 36 states of the federation must ratify the law establishing it as against the current position, that the EFCC Establishment Act was unilaterally ratified by the Federal Government.

 

He, therefore, asked the judge to vacate the arrest warrant against the former governor.

 

But Pinheiro vehemently opposed the application.

 

The senior lawyer argued that for the arrest warrant to be vacated, the former governor must be arraigned and take his plea in compliance with Section 396 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

 

Delivering the ruling on Friday, the judge agreed with the argument of the EFCC.

 

He said that the order of court subsisted until it is set aside, even if there is irregularity.

 

The judge said Yahaya Bello’s staying away amounted to disregard to the sanctity of the court.

 

“Therefore, the application by the counsel for the defendant cannot be moved unless the defendant is present in court.

 

“Bello should come to court in his own not through EFCC for arraignment on the next adjourn date,” the judge declared.

 

Meanwhile, shortly after the ruling, Mohammed, who appeared for the former governor, informed the court of a motion on notice filed on May 9.

 

He said the motion prayed the court to stay further hearing of the alleged money laundering suit filed against Bello until the Court of Appeal decides a pending case relating to same matter.

 

The senior lawyer said the anti-graft agency had, by a motion ex-parte, got an order of the Appeal Court stopping the contempt proceedings filed by the ex-governor against the agency at the High Court sitting in Lokoja.

 

He said the appellate court had already fixed May 20 to hear the case.

 

He said it would be important the Federal High Court, Abuja awaits the outcome before going further with the trial.

 

But the EFCC’s lawyer, Oyedepo, disagreed with Mohammed’s submission.

 

In a short ruling, Justice Nwite refused Mohammed’s application.

 

The judge said that the matter had generated controversy all over the world and was unnecessary.

 

Reacting, Mohammed responded that the former governor was not afraid to come to court but was only afraid of his life.

 

Justice Nwite, however, said that Bello should not be misguided but should be advised to come and answer to the alleged charge.

 

“It is just a charge. It has not been proven. Counsel, it is your duty to bring him and you prepare yourselves.

 

“We thank lordship. We will take your admonition to him because that is just his fear,” Mohammed said.

 

He assured that efforts would be made to contact the former govenor to appear in court in the next adjourned date.

 

Justice Nwite consequently adjourned the matter until June 13 for arraignment.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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