The publisher of Ovation International Chief Dele Momodu has told Nigerian youths that he laboured hard to achieve success.
Born May 16, 1960, the media mogul said it was pathetic that Nigerian youths could conclude that he made a breakthrough because things were easy during his days.
Momodu, a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, had his first degree in Yoruba Language in 1982 at age 22 and a Master’s degree in English Literature at age 28, despite the fact that he lost his father when he was 13.
Pls can u explain this ? Old people keep feeding us with lies pic.twitter.com/AFwQYIM56y
— FELIX ADIKEA (@ADIKEAFELIX) August 20, 2019
He started out as a lecturer at the Oyo State College of Arts and Science, the same year he obtained his first degree while on National Service.
Immediately after his one-year youth service, he was appointed as the private secretary to the former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Chief Akin Omoboriowo.
In May 1988, Dele Momodu got a job at the African Concord Magazine (now defunct) as a Staff Writer.
At age 29, he became Literary Editor and within six months he was promoted to the position of News Editor of the Weekend Concord.
At 30, the brilliant Momodu became the editor of Ellen Ezekiel’s Classique, a celebrity magazine. It was gathered that he was the highest-paid editor in Nigeria at the time.
He started Ovation International at age 36 which is now one of Africa’s most popular celebrity magazines.
But the media mogul said it was not easy after all, he tweeted, “It makes me sad when I hear people say “things were easier in your days…” It is not true. We laboured hard and did menial jobs. I was an errand boy at CSS Bookshop in Ile-Ife before becoming a village teacher and Library Assistant at the University. In between, I was jobless.”
He was also a former bread distributor for his mentor Chief Moshood Abiola, who owned “Wonderloaf”.
But his story seemed to be insufficient to convince most of those who commented on his post that things were just as hard as it is in present-day Nigeria.
A Twitter user Lola said, “Things are tougher now… Waking up 4am to prepare for work you resume by 6am no be beans.. 12hours work.. Kna so he for una time?”
Corroborating Lola, Kelewure in his tweet said, “A stitch in time saves Nile. Don’t compare yourself to @delemomodu. Getting help during his time is quietly different from nowadays. So get up and don’t be waiting for a miracle to happen.”
See other reactions below:
You could even get a job as an errand boy. Not anymore. Getting IT placement is even war not to talk of jobs
— #AceHouseParty2019Sept28 (@NijaActivist) August 20, 2019
At least you saw a place to run the errand. No such places today that's the point. There where more opportunities then than now. This isn't logical.
— kelechi Awuzu (@dazzlesconcept) August 20, 2019
Well Nigeria is nt good nd everyday people are making a way out of it,let just keep our head high nd utilize the resources we have at hand,nd don’t forget you need to connect yourself with those at the top,don’t just sit there nd be complaining we can go higher than @DeleMomodu
— Jimoh Self Made Olabanji (@JimohSelf) August 20, 2019
Daddy, it was still easy then, cos there was an opportunity for you to do errand boy in a renown BSS book shop and still work as an assistant Liberian in a prestigious university, our graduates this days can hard find such opportunity. Things have really changed sir.
— Mr Badmus (@arcseunb) August 20, 2019
Sir, things were really easier in your days… Can you imagine that after nysc I wanted to work for free in a chemical industry just to gain experience but I was rejected? I believe this would not have happened in your time, don't you agree?
— Lucky idogar (@OsilamahId) August 20, 2019
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