Veteran journalist and Ovation International publisher, Dele Momodu, has shared emotional memories of how he escaped Nigeria during the military government of late General Sani Abacha.
Momodu spoke during an interview on the Morayo Show, where he described the painful experience of leaving his family behind while fleeing political persecution in 1995.
According to him, he crossed the Seme border on foot into Cotonou in the early hours of the morning after receiving information that security operatives were searching for him.
The media entrepreneur explained that his wife and infant son were asleep when he quietly left home.
“My first son was less than one year old at that time. I looked at him beside my wife and became emotional before leaving,” Momodu recalled.
He said the fear of uncertainty became stronger after arriving in Benin Republic because he did not know what the future held for him.
“When I arrived in Cotonou, I started crying again because I didn’t know where I was going or whether I would survive,” he added.
Momodu revealed that the exile journey later changed his life and career completely, leading to the establishment of Ovation International Magazine in London.
According to him, the difficult experience became a turning point that shaped his success story and strengthened his commitment to democracy.
The former presidential aspirant also stated that his years in exile made him understand the true value of political freedom and opposition politics in Nigeria.
He explained that he worked alongside several pro-democracy activists during the military era while campaigning for the restoration of civilian rule.
Momodu spent about three years outside Nigeria during the Abacha government before eventually returning after the end of military rule.