14 November 2009
analysis
Lagos — It is in the matter of his residence that Ayobamidele Abayomi Ojutelegan Ajani Momodu, now known as Chief Dele Momodu; Bob Dee, to his friends and acquaintances, points the way to some of the monumental goals he has set for himself in his lifetime.
For one, he wants nothing short of the exciting. Life, for him, has to produce many tiny bubbles that will add up to the large ocean in which he can swim and wallow in his fantasies and dreams. Trying to find out where he lives exposes a measure of his large heart. This is a man who hates boredom. This is a man who deliberately courts fame and the famous. His spirit is permanently fired up to run full speed ahead all the time. So what do you think of a man who keeps a home in four cities? You may be forgiven to think he has a wife in each of the houses in Lagos, Abuja, Accra and London.
But even if he does not deny a teeming throng of female admirers, he is happily married to one woman, Mobolaji. For all his taste in exquisite homes, you are likely to find Momodu comfortably settled in and working out of a hotel. Why does he prefer the hotel environment? It conforms to his thirst for an atmosphere that is constantly in a buzz. Nseobong Okon-Ekong caught up with him in one of these upscale boutique hotels in Lagos. In the last three years, Momodu has waved a magic wand that captures the spirit of Christmas in Lagos: The Ovation Red Carol has become a must-attend celebrity event and one of the largest factory of milk of human kindness in this part of the world.
Over breakfast, Chief Dele Momodu could not hide the more than a few issues on his hyper active mind. He cuts the picture of the ever busy CEO: A battery of phones (I counted five GSM phones) literarily ringing off the hook. At some point, he had to switch them off so we could have quality interaction. Among the things that jostled for attention on his mind that morning was how to address a seeming concerted hate campaign against his person. The deluge of mails on the internet struggle to pass him off as one who has no moral plank to criticise the ruling class (and their proclivity towards the corrupt). He was deeply pained. "What do they have against me"? I am a reporter. I am simply doing my job. It is not the job of a reporter to choose what story to report and what not to report. I am also a businessman. I saw an opportunity and I converted it into an enterprise that has not only provided a means of livelihood for people all over the world, it has inspired scores of persons to look in that direction. Ovation is a publication that many have tried to copy. They say I am friends with these people. In what way I'm I their friend? I provide a service that they want. Simple. I challenge anyone to prove that I have gotten contracts from any government."
A little bit unsettled by these wild and spurious allegations, Momodu who values his intellectual and activist credentials is at a loss about how unsavoury perception about him gained ground. Having painstakingly built a certain image, it rubs him on the wrong to think that his cherished values are about to be splashed with a sludge by people who judge him purely on the basis of a small segment of his publication. "Reportage of social events form a little over 20 percent of the content in Ovation. We have done many ground breaking stories. Nigerians were going to Harrod's to buy wedding gowns. Ovation has gone all over the world to celebrate Nigerians and Africans who are doing well in their field. It is annoying to attempt to reduce everything we have done to 'photo-journalism', as some people call it. People are entitled to their opinion.
At the end of the day, everything we have done is verifiable. Ovation is a publication. If you want to be fair, you can do a content analysis and I am proud to say we took on a relatively new area of journalism in this part of the world. It was a road no one had travelled before. We had no one ahead of us to learn from. We are pioneers. I am proud to say that the publication has been consistent. Every edition is a bumper and exclusive, in terms of content and page planning. We hardly have unsold copies. Ovation is the only magazine Nigerians and Africans in the Diaspora look forward to with a yearning that makes us humble and fulfilled. Everywhere we go in the world, Ovation has opened doors for us. Honestly, I do not mind if a few percentage of the population misunderstand what we are doing, but it is uncharitable to deny the contribution that we have made to the polity in Nigeria; and the essence of the African pride in general. We have been at the centre of many defining moments. We have been part of many historic events. What I suspect is that some people just hate my guts. It is the old 'Pull Him Down' syndrome that Nigerians are so used to; otherwise, if they think Ovation is not doing what it is supposed to do, why don't they go ahead and beat us at the game. I have never stood in anybody's way. I have supported anyone who approached me. Sometimes I go out of my way to do these things, partly when it is a youth or community development project."
Momodu has become a much sought after speaker. Organisations and groups who wish to learn a thing or two from the success formula that produced Ovation keep him busy with speaking engagements. He is also at home in the company of egg-heads and intellectuals. Last week, he was one of those who delivered a paper at the 2009 Anyiam-Osigwe Memorial Lecture. A highly cerebral event, the lecture stimulates constructive dialogue every year on issues of development. The lead speaker is usually, a statesman of international stature. "I love a good discourse. There are few things as productive and as stimulating as a good session of intellectual exchange. I thoroughly enjoy it. You can equate it to a good bout of sport where the contestants are equally matched. People who see just one side of me and reach a conclusion that I am party-loving, wine-imbibing man about-town can be excused. I have been privileged to serve in the tink-tank of many serious groups. I cannot tell how I have been instrumental to the change of many policies. These are things we have done at the intellectual level."
Intellectualism is not an attribute you would credit to someone with a degree in Yoruba language but Momodu is not your run-off-the-mill graduate. "I have a degree in Yoruba, so what? Does it mean I can not speak English language? I believe that my knowledge of Yoruba helps me to express myself; my world view is larger and my experience richer. I have a second degree in Literature in English. I have taught in a college of education. A university degree in the languages is something to be treasured. Many people do not know what it is about. Even if I did not get more than a first degree, I would still have to been well equipped to face the challenges of life. I am not defined by a second degree. I agree that it enhances my potential but I always look on the brighter side of life and I am prepared to take risks. There is no success story that does not involve a huge risk. The Dele Momodu you know today is shaped by so many experiences. I lost my father when I was just entering my teens. I watched my mother struggle to support us. I have sold bread. I worked with Bashorun MKO Abiola. I treasure that period of my life. I have been haunted by the state. I have lived in exile. I know what it means to walk and keep looking over your shoulder. I am a journalist. I am also a scholar. I have experienced lack. I have also enjoyed tremendous goodwill. I cannot afford to be stingy. Whatever I have I am always willing to share and I give freely, because people give to me a lot."
To channel his giving exercise into a more constructive pool, Momodu conceived of a charitable project anchored at a time of the year that normally projects joy to men of goodwill: Christmas is traditionally a time to give based on the Christian belief that God gave His only begotten Son, Jesus as Saviour to the world. Having driven his charity train all over the world, stopping for long period of time in places like Liberia and Sierra Leone where he has made profound contributions as goodwill ambassador. While his altruistic agenda in Nigeria may have largely been kept under wraps, three years ago, he ignited his peculiar fire of compassion in Nigeria. From the beginning, he was able to secure a working relationship with two giants-the Lagos state government and the United Bank for Africa Plc. Both are still working with Momodu execute the celebrity charity event known as The Ovation Red Carol.
The 2009 edition of the event will hold as usual in Lagos. A few new things have been added to the event, beginning with a theme song: 'Christmas in Lagos'.
The making of the song has attracted the largest pool of Nigerian music stars ever. As the days get closer to the December 18 epoch, more celebrity musicians, comedians and fashion designers are jostling to be part of the memorable show. Produced by OJB Jezreel, the song has the benefit of the voices of Niyola, Omawunmi, Wande Coal and Jazzman Olofin.
Previous editions of the event did not have a theme song. 'Christmas in Lagos' must hold the record for largest participation by Nigerian artistes in a musical video. With over 100 artistes including Sir Shina Peters, ArtQuake, Essence, Zakky Adzay, Dekunle Fuji, Atorise, Jafxtra, Jedi, Jaywon, Eddie Kim, Kenny St. Brown, Shafi, Buga, Davina, Jahdiel, Gxploits, Angelica, Waje, Blaise, Foluke Daramola, Elfreida Rolands and Kefee. A few millions was committed to converting a warehouse in Oregun-Lagos in to an ultra modern studio. To bring out the best picture possible, DJ Tee collaborated with Jungle Films to come up with a video that will rock this Christmas and beyond. Clarence Peters was also there to lend his support. The show itself has big stars like Femi Kuti and Ebenezer Obey on the bill.
The Ovation Red Carol plans to showcase Nigerian female artistes in a way that has never been done before. Momodu is set to surprise the audience with a 12-woman ensemble called the Ovation All Female Stars. He explained the rationale, "in Nigeria, the emphasis seems to be on male stars. We are trying to show the world that our women are not lagging behind. They are also trying very hard and need to be given every encouragement. The event is also about celebrating abundant talent in music, dance, fashion and comedy."
The show will have the benefit of a couple of international artistes headlined by Sonti Mdebele, who is widely touted as the new Miriam Makeba. She is coming with three singers and dancers who horned their skill with Umoja. The line-up of international artistes will be enhanced with the presence of Nameless and Amani. Ameze Igbinedion, an amazing Nigerian artiste who lives in Europe will also be in the house to show Nigerians how much she has improved since the last time she featured at the THISDAY Awards two years ago. As in previous editions, the show will be broadcast live on Daarsat, BENTv and streamed on the internet by OntheBox.
The Ovation Red Carol which is advertised as 'a matter of hope' has attracted some of the leading names in the Lagos society. Some of those who were at the event in the previous editions and are slated to be there again include Gen Theophilus Danjuma and his wife, Senator Daisy Danjuma, Alhaji Dangote, Mr. Sam Amuka-Pemu, publisher of Vanguard, Albert Okumagba, Chief Segun Osoba, Atedo Peterside, Princess Adenrele Adeniran-Ogunsanya, Keem Bello-Osagie, Senator Udo Udoma and the Oba of Lagos. Momodu is particular about guests who attend this event. "They must be persons who have a track record in bringing succour to their environment. We don't make noise about charity. We have given secondary school and university scholarship. This year, we have identified a young doctor who has a charity that focuses on Primary Health Care, by bringing health care closer to the poor in communities where there are no clinics or health facilities. Incidentally, the charity arm of UBA Plc, the UBA Foundation is also interested in working with the same charity."
Everything Momodu does must be greeted with the loudest ovation. Even if he is tip-toeing around, his clothes and cap usually announce a resounding 'ovation'.
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