Something invincible is happening in Nigeria. Interestingly, not many people can see it yet, and until perhaps it becomes a tsunami of monumental proportion.
You can call it a movement that is fast gaining grounds and tract, and you won’t be far from the truth.
It’s Bashorun Dele Momodu’s presidential movement. Embarked upon years ago by the colourful and connected publisher of one of Africa’s most popular glossy magazines, Ovation International, as at the last count, the presidential train had crisscrossed Edo, Enugu, Osun, Oyo and Kaduna States, with many more still in the offing.
A man of humongous network and contact, Momodu has also shared his vision and passion for a new Nigeria, where hope, he assured all, will be in abundance, with notable Nigerians like the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Oba of Benin, Oba Eheneden Erediauwa, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, Olubadan-designate, Oba Lekan Balogun, Timi of Ede, Oba Muniru Lawal, Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, millions of our young men and women, to mention but a few.
‘Owners of Nigeria’, like he dubbed them, as well as top politicos and academics, among them ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, erstwhile Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, billionaire mogul, Femi Otedola, controversial cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Ganiyu Adams, irrepressible senator, Ademola Adeleke, ex-Governor Omololu Olunloyo, Ohaneze chieftain, Chief Joe Nwogu, etc have equally been visited and intimated with his lofty and laudable plans for our great country.
Still firing from all cylinders, ready and willing to give it every thing it takes, we might have a repeat of what happened in 1993, when against all odds and permutations, the late Bashorun MKO Abiola, who incidentally is Momodu’s mentor and godfather, sprang a major political surprise in Jos, Plateau State. Dusting all the preferred choices and pocketing the SDP (Social Democratic Party) ticket, before ultimately winning the free and fair June 12 election, which General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida callously annulled.
Another beautiful thing is that the Aare of Iwo and Bashorun of Oke-Ila has chosen Hope 2023 as his campaign slogan. Just like MKO did 30 years ago.
A perfect example and classic case of a zero turned hero, Bob Dee, like friends call the frontline PDP presidential aspirant, was born to an illiterate mother from Gbongan in Osun State and an Ihievbe, Edo-born father who earned very little working for PWD. Losing his father very early, his mother, well aware of the importance of education, scratched and scraped to send him to school. Armed with a first degree in Yoruba Language and a master’s in English Literature, both from the University of Ife, he battled the lions of poverty and confronted the tigers of joblessness and hopelessness for years before ultimately distinguishing himself in journalism. Currently the Publisher/Chairman of one of Africa’s most iconic brands, Ovation International, none of those in the race with him understands or commands the kind of genuine follower-ship he enjoys on the social media and even across the country. His network and contacts are also out of this world. Coupled with all that is the fact that he is widely travelled and exposed. Thus placing him on an advantageous position as the breath of fresh air that our country is seriously yearning for. No encumbrances, no unnecessary baggage, Momodu is also non factional, non sectional and non sectorial. On top of everything, he’s not enveloped or encircled by any godfather or even tainted like most politicians.
Hope, indeed, beckons again with Dele Momodu, the president Nigeria needs in 2023.
- Azuh Arinze is the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, YES INTERNATIONAL Magazine and author of the bestsellers, The CEO’s Bible and Success Is Not Served A La Carte
