Dele Momodu

Dele Momodu
Dele Momodu and President Buhari
Born	(1960-05-16) 16 May 1960 (age 56) 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, 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. In 2015, he officially launched Ovation TV and subsequently launched an online newspaper called The Boss. Momodu has received hundreds of awards and honours for his work in the world of business, politics, literature, the music industry and the fashion industry. He writes a weekly column called "PENdulum", 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 notable people, often in a polemic/critical style. Through PENdulum, Momodu became a prominent voice for the APC presidential candidate at the 2015 general election in Nigeria - the current president Muhammadu Buhari.

Ayobamidele, meaning "my joy has followed me home", is the last of three siblings. He lost his father at the age of 13, thereafter relying on his mother and relatives for support. Dele was taught by his late mother, who died on 18 May 2007, 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 mother's source of income was from petty trading, and she had two older children to care for, she laboured hard to sustain her family, and in the words of Momodu, "She didn't give up on me."

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. In 1986, Momodu 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".