Media mogul and veteran journalist, Chief Dele Momodu, has responded to concerns surrounding his absence from the list of national honours announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Democracy Day, June 12, 2025.
Reacting to the controversy in a public statement on Thursday, Momodu stated that he “humbly disagrees” with those who felt insulted or outraged on his behalf over his non-inclusion.
“It is the prerogative of every government to determine those it wishes to recognise and honour,” he noted, emphasizing that the decision lies squarely within the right of the current administration.
Momodu, the publisher of Ovation International Magazine, stressed that honorary awards are not finite.
“Honorary awards are endless and can be given now, later or never,” he said, adding that even some deserving heroes had their names omitted.
Reflecting on the significance of June 12, 1993, the day widely recognized for Nigeria’s most credible election annulled under military rule, Momodu expressed gratitude rather than bitterness.
“June 12 has been extremely kind to me. It offered me the opportunity to fight for democracy in various capacities,” he remarked.
“I returned from exile with so many goodies as ordained by Almighty God, including the global brand Ovation International, a second address and citizenship in the UK, a third address in Ghana, worldwide fame and acclaim,” he added.
While appreciating those who reached out with concern, Momodu said he would have found it uncomfortable to accept a national honour under what he described as an increasingly undemocratic regime.
“I would have been embarrassed to be recognized by a regime that’s unapologetically trampling on the tenets of democracy and dangerously leading our beloved nation down the slope of dictatorship and full-blown tyranny,” he stated pointedly.
Despite his critical stance, the former presidential aspirant maintained his personal respect for President Tinubu, describing him as a “Big Brother and friend.”
“It would have been considered rude and impudent of me to reject such a national honour from a man I still consider my Big Brother and friend, despite my vehement disagreement and displeasure with him over political views,” he wrote.
“I sincerely thank the President for rescuing me from what might have been misconstrued as compromise, arrogance or disrespect.”
Momodu ended his statement on a note of goodwill, saying, “Massive congratulations to all the honorees.”
President Tinubu had earlier honoured several pro-democracy figures, both living and deceased, including Kudirat Abiola, Wole Soyinka, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and Ken Saro-Wiwa, during a commemorative address at the National Assembly.
