ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Publisher of Ovation magazine, Dele Momodu, has urged Nigeria’s Gen Z population to acquire deep political knowledge and practical experience if they hope to take over governance, warning that politics cannot be played as a social media game.
Momodu spoke on Wednesday at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, where he was conferred with the Library Ambassador award during activities marking this year’s Library Week.
The Ovation publisher, who featured as a guest reader at the event held inside Oduduwa Hall, read an article he authored on the death of Michael Jackson to an audience that included the university’s vice-chancellor, students and principal officers.
Speaking with journalists shortly after his presentation, Momodu emphasised that knowledge remains a powerful tool for liberation from poverty and what he described as political slavery.
According to him, young Nigerians particularly Gen Zs have the advantage of technology, which should serve as a means of acquiring knowledge rather than a source of distraction.
“We have a lot of problems but through reading about global politics, I know that we have to go through these problems. But I’m hopeful that the more knowledge our people have about governance, the less we would follow politicians like slaves,” he said.
READ ALSO: Nigeria Now Has Two Presidencies – Dele Momodu Laments Over Wike’s Growing Influence
Addressing Gen Zs directly, Momodu added: “To my Gen Z, 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 that there is a limit to theory. Rather, we should get very practical.”
He warned that real-world politics, particularly presidential contests, is far more intense than online discourse.
“Politics, especially presidential election, is going to be a war. People are going to fight because it’s about winner-takes-all. And the president of Nigeria is probably the most powerful president on earth because nobody can query him. He controls the judiciary, legislature, the Gen Zs, the City Boys (Movement) and Village Boys (Movement),” he said.
Earlier in her welcome address, the University Librarian, Dr Olukemi Fadehan, explained that the reading event was designed to cultivate intellectual curiosity and promote lifelong learning.
“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,” she said.
Also at the event, Momodu and the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, were honoured with the Distinguished Ambassador of the Library Excellence and Royal Father of the Library Excellence awards, respectively.