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The Publisher of Ovation International, Bashorun Dele Momodu in this interview spoke to ADEYEMI VICTOR ADEBAYO in Accra about his involvement in the current politics in Nigeria as well as preparations for this year’s edition of the annual Ovation Red Carol at the State House Banquet Hall, Accra, Ghana.
You contested for the President of Nigeria in 2011, though you didn’t win but you made a solid statement then.What is your political ambition this time?
2011 was a worthwhile experience for me as an individual which I am grateful to God and very happy that I aspired to lead my country and also get to understand the nitty-gritty of the political world at that level. Though I didn’t win, but I learnt so many lessons from that exercise. My political involvement right now is with the opposition party in Nigeria. We are taking the bull by the horn by working so hard to cause a change and move the nation forward. It isn’t going to be that easy but we are ready for it.
2011 was a worthwhile experience for me as an individual which I am grateful to God and very happy that I aspired to lead my country and also get to understand the nitty-gritty of the political world at that level. Though I didn’t win, but I learnt so many lessons from that exercise. My political involvement right now is with the opposition party in Nigeria. We are taking the bull by the horn by working so hard to cause a change and move the nation forward. It isn’t going to be that easy but we are ready for it.
What has been your biggest frustration so far in your political journey?
One of my biggest frustrations has been with the ECOWAS states because we are not taking full advantage of union. Until we come together, accept that we are one people, and then we shall continue to feel the brunt of division. It is so glaring that here in our continent, we are still under the shackles of unnecessary protocols and it is disheartening. It is sad how we travel all over the world and yet these protocols as member states don’t affect them, but here in Africa, traveling from Ghana to Togo or from Benin to Nigeria by road or air, there are so many protocols that even make the average man on the street to feel stressed out. This affects us all in different ways. For example I have to print a magazine in Lagos and still pay huge duty at Benin boarder, it’s not good.
One of my biggest frustrations has been with the ECOWAS states because we are not taking full advantage of union. Until we come together, accept that we are one people, and then we shall continue to feel the brunt of division. It is so glaring that here in our continent, we are still under the shackles of unnecessary protocols and it is disheartening. It is sad how we travel all over the world and yet these protocols as member states don’t affect them, but here in Africa, traveling from Ghana to Togo or from Benin to Nigeria by road or air, there are so many protocols that even make the average man on the street to feel stressed out. This affects us all in different ways. For example I have to print a magazine in Lagos and still pay huge duty at Benin boarder, it’s not good.
How interesting is it living in Ghana today looking at the current economic challenges in Ghana?
There are economy challenges all over the world, since time in memorial, but Ghana is seen as passing through such time now because it is a relatively a small country. What makes a country isn’t just the revenue it has but what it does with its revenue and Ghana has done very well with the little that they have. In terms of electricity regulation, many countries in the world will be happy to be in the shoes of Ghana. So in a nutshell, I will say that Ghana has managed its economy well, though it could do better. They are not as bad as many thought. All I can do is to encourage the government to push harder.
There are economy challenges all over the world, since time in memorial, but Ghana is seen as passing through such time now because it is a relatively a small country. What makes a country isn’t just the revenue it has but what it does with its revenue and Ghana has done very well with the little that they have. In terms of electricity regulation, many countries in the world will be happy to be in the shoes of Ghana. So in a nutshell, I will say that Ghana has managed its economy well, though it could do better. They are not as bad as many thought. All I can do is to encourage the government to push harder.
Tell us about preparations for the 2014 Ovation Red Carol. What are we expecting this year? Any surprises?
Without running faster than the event planners, I shall wait for them to finalise their homework and then make it public. But for surprises this year, we are sure going to have a wonderful time with all our patrons and invited guests. As we speak, we are still confirming the remaining artistes that will be on the bill. And we must make it known that this year is not going to be a ‘show’, we call it the year of ‘partying’.
Without running faster than the event planners, I shall wait for them to finalise their homework and then make it public. But for surprises this year, we are sure going to have a wonderful time with all our patrons and invited guests. As we speak, we are still confirming the remaining artistes that will be on the bill. And we must make it known that this year is not going to be a ‘show’, we call it the year of ‘partying’.
If one has survived a turbulent year from January to December without any cause to go out of this world, then we think that patrons for this year’s event should be made to dance, dance and dance because our God has been faithful to us that we are alive to see another great year come to an end. Patrons must be informed that when they are coming, they should come and party with us. It’s also going to be a time where we give hope to the hopeless, thus, drawing to mind that this year’s theme is about ‘Hope’. We shall be supporting a charity this year after supporting the Kofi Awunoor Foundation last year. This year’s event is going to be held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Accra Ghana, the same venue of the last edition it is billed for 13th of December, 2014, and it is strictly by invitation.
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