*Why Paramount Monarch Oba Adetoyese Conferred Gbongan’s Highest Honours On Momodu And Wife, Mobolaji
By Lanre Alfred
The prettiest flowers earn their honour in the ugliest dirt. Just as an eagle earns its repute from the storms it endures. Likewise, Aare Dele Momodu earned his stripes through the tumult and strife of Nigeria’s darkest years.
Sporting the bloom of the rarest marigold and the resilience of the eagle, Momodu, carved his niche as one of Africa’s finest breed of journalists at a time when it was suicidal to be a pressman.
Spurred by his impressive credentials and achievements in the challenging field of journalism, the paramount monarch, Oba Adetoyese Oyeniyi Odugbemi I, the Olufi of Gbonganland, recently conferred Momodu and his wife, Mobolaji, with the title of Akinrogun and Yeye Akinrogun of Gbonganland respectively.
The conferment of the titles was done in a grand celebration that attracted the creme of Nigeria’s high society to the beautiful kingdom of Oba Odugbemi in Osun State.
Landmarks and grassy plains along the royal province pulsed with merriment and well wishes, and the roads reeled with tyres hurtling through Gbongan’s major highways and bypasses towards Momodu’s investiture.
The atmosphere gleamed and billowed as a glorious, spirited gathering shuttled through the kingdom and converged on the ceremonial grounds of the palace of the Olufi of Gbonganland in an event that coincided with the 25th anniversary of the Olufi’s coronation.
The Ovation Publisher and his wife cut a spectacle resplendent in their ceremonial garments as they bowed in receipt of their titles amid the reverberant buzz of royalty and the high society gathered to witness their investiture.
The atmosphere was surreal and the turnout fantastic as Gbongan erupted in pomp and pageantry of royalty and deep-rooted culture.
It was one of those rare days when pure bliss and pulsating thrills pervaded the length and breadth of Gbongan as it creaked and pulsed with the elaborate finery and presence of Nigerians that thronged its bowels to felicitate with the Momodus.
Held at the Gbongan Community Playing Field, the conferment of the chieftaincy titles on the Momodus was the cynosure of all eyes even though there were other awardees on the same day. The calibre of high-net-worth personalities that turned up for the all-important event served as a further attestation to the larger-than-life status enjoyed by Momodu.
The influential and intrepid journalist, an epitome of good health and overwhelming gratitude, could not have been more elated at the large turnout of his friends and associates from far and near.
Though originally an Edo indigene, Bob Dee’s mother is a native of Gbongan and was interred in its firma. Before he found fame and fortune in Lagos nay London, Bob Dee, as he is fondly called, spent his early years in Ile-Ife, the next major town after Gbongan. So, it was a joyous and nostalgic homecoming for the illustrious son of the soil.
Without any modicum of doubt, Bob Dee is one of the most notable and enduring names in African media. He has spent the last four decades navigating the labyrinth of the media industry culminating in his publication of the Ovation International Magazine since 1996. Though his profession entails him singing the song of other people’s deeds and derring-do, Bob Dee never overtly covets garlands and honours. But they come to him in torrents, from home and abroad. Over the years, he has been bestowed with several traditional and academic honours by different demographics of humanity who appreciate his profound devotion to his craft; journalism.
According to a letter to the effect, Olufi stated that the honour is in “recognition of your various landmark achievements as a world-renowned journalist author, publisher, businessman, public affairs commentator, frontline politician to the level of being chosen as a presidential candidate of a strong political party in our presidential elections.
The Olufi stated, “Another compelling reason is the fact that your own biological mother was a native of Gbongan from the famous Oluoje family. Some of your achievements include but are not limited to:
i. Chief Executive Officer and publisher of Ovation International, a magazine that has given publicity to people from all over the world.
ii. ii. Launched Ovation TV in 2015
iii. Launched an online newspaper called the Boss Newspapers.
iv. You have received hundreds of awards and honours for your work in the world of business, politics, literature, the music and fashion industry.
v. You write a weekly column called “Pendulum” published every Saturday on the back page of Thisday newspaper.
Aside from the above, you are a cultural man of excellence, a worthy ambassador of the legendary Oduduwa Dynasty and a philanthropist, committed husband and father. WE ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU!!!
Looking glamorous in an expensive blue aso oke, the couple was accompanied by a retinue of well-wishers, family members, friends and associates, who made the trip from every corner of the world, as they stepped before his royal Majesty for the all-important conferment
Literally interpreted as an accomplished warrior, the Akinrogun title aptly qualifies Momodu, whose exploits courting and interviewing the high and mighty in the political, social and economic spheres remain unrivalled. A man of many parts, it is believed in high society circuits and beyond, that there’s hardly an influential personality in the world today that Momodu has not made his acquaintance.
In his appreciation message, Momodu appreciated the Olufi and the people of Gbongan for considering him for the honour. He also extended his appreciation to a former Chancellor of the University of Lagos and son of Gbongan, Professor Wale Babalakin, who paved the way for him to have a smooth celebration.
Earlier, Momodu had visited the graveside of his mother, Gladys Momodu, where a prayer session was held, and thanksgiving to God for her life. Another stopover was the family house of the Fatoyes, where the patriarch of the family, Osuola Isaac Fatoye, received the entourage, and proclaimed blessings on Dele Momodu.
Shortly after the conferment, the party moved in a convoy to the reception ground at the Bola Babalakin Estate, where other high-profile individuals were waiting in anticipation of the grand celebration.
Personalities present at the event included the Deputy Governor of Osun, Prince Kola Adewusi, Chairman, Biscon Communications, Prince Bisi Olatilo, Prince Damola Aderemi, Senior Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Lagos Liaison, Michael Effiong, Dupe Ashama, Hon. Remi Ojo, Otunba Gbenga Peters, Adebanjo Adebanjo, Erelu Fadeyi, Rufai Ladipo, Wale Babalakin, Gbenga Olunloyo, Editor, Ovation Magazine, Mr. Eric Elezuo, Publisher, Yes Magazine, Azuh Arinze, and a host of others.
