Get Practical, Politics Not Won On Social Media – Dele Momodu Tells Youths
Veteran journalist and African Democratic Congress chieftain, Chief Dele Momodu has advised Nigerian youths to adopt a practical approach to politics, stressing that social media calculations rarely translate to real-world electoral success.
Momodu gave the advice on Wednesday at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, at the sideline of the ‘reading time’, organised by the OAU library to mark the 2026 Library week.
The Ovation magazine publisher who was the guest reader at the occasion, said Nigeria needs knowledgeable leaders to solve its problems, urging Nigerians to stop worshipping politicians and read more about governance.
He said elections in Nigeria is winner takes all, adding that the presidential election is going to be a war.
Momodu said, “I have travelled globally. Nigerians are among the greatest human beings on earth. Wherever you find us, we are at the top. We are leading and we are working very hard but we have a leadership problem. However, with knowledgeable leadership, we will get it right.
“To my Gen Zs, they should read more. If they read more, they will know that all the permutations that we do on social media, it doesn’t work like that in politics.
“We should theorise, but know there is a limit to theory. We should get very practical. I told you that when I contested in 2011, that was when I realised that the elephant’s head is not for child’s play. Politics, especially the presidential election, is going to be a war.
“People are going to fight because it is about winner takes all in Nigeria and the president of Nigeria is probably the most powerful president on earth. He controls the judiciary, the legislature, the Gen Zs, the city boys and the village boys.”
Momodu appealed to Nigerians to take priority in reading, adding, “So, for me, if you really love reading and you love knowledge, you have options. My life started in Ife and my education was substantially on this campus.”
Meanwhile, the University Library honoured Momodu and the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba (Dr) Adedokun Abolarin during the event.
While Momodu was honoured with the Distinguished Ambassador of the Library Excellence Award, Oba Abolarin received the Royal Father of the Library Excellence Award.
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Commenting on the award, Momodu, said, “So, I am so nostalgic today that my university and the library in which I worked way back, nearly 50 years ago, in 1977, chose to invite me for this recognition.”
In her welcome remarks, the University librarian, Dr. Olukemi Fadehan, said reading remained a cornerstone of intellectual growth and personal development.
She noted that reading sharpens people’s perspectives, deepens their understanding, and connects them to worlds beyond their immediate experiences.
“In an age characterised by rapid technological advancement and information overload, the simple yet profound act of reading remains a cornerstone of intellectual growth and personal development.
“Reading sharpens our perspectives, deepens our understanding, and connects us to worlds beyond our immediate experience. It is through reading that ideas are born, cultures are preserved, and innovation is sustained,” Fadehan said.
She added that poor reading culture has been a challenging issue over the years, noting that the solution required an intentional and conscientious effort.
“Addressing concerns in this respect should be continuous, hoping that the quality of life is progressively improved, and an increasingly near-reading-for-pleasure attitude is noticeable in our society.
“This Reading Time event is designed not only to encourage the habit of reading but also to provide a serene and reflective space where we can reconnect with the written word, whether for academic enrichment, personal growth, or sheer enjoyment,” she added.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
