The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has celebrated renowned media mogul and cultural ambassador, Bashorun Ayòbámidélé Àbáyòmí Ojútelégàn Àjàní Momodu, as he marks his 65th birthday.
In an official statement signed by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, the House of Oduduwa described Bashorun Dele Momodu as a “distinguished son of the source,” whose life and achievements embody the values of diligence, resilience, and intellectual excellence.
Born in Ile-Ife, the ancestral home of the Yoruba people, Momodu’s journey from modest beginnings to becoming a global media icon is celebrated as a story of triumph. Orphaned of his father at 13, he was raised with strong moral and cultural grounding, credited in part to the nurturing influence of the House of Oduduwa.
An alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, he studied Yoruba and English Literature, reflecting his deep-rooted cultural pride and academic strength. His early professional journey included serving as a private secretary to the former Deputy Governor of Ondo State and managing Motel Royal Limited under the guidance of the late Ooni Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II.
His rise in journalism began with African Concord magazine, later leading to pivotal roles in the Nigerian media space. A prominent voice during Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement in the 1990s, Momodu faced persecution and eventually went into exile. In 1996, he founded Ovation International, a magazine that has since become a platform for celebrating African success stories around the world.
Beyond journalism, he has made significant contributions as a political commentator and former presidential aspirant, consistently advocating for good governance and national unity.
“As he turns 65, the House of Oduduwa honours Bashorun Dele Momodu’s indelible impact on journalism, culture, and Nigeria’s democratic evolution,” the statement read. “May the blessings of the ancestors continue to guide him, and may his legacy inspire generations to come.”
