It was a beautiful day; we were full of life, and I was travelling with other priests. We cracked jokes and laughed all through. That’s how our life should be, but suddenly, the joy was shattered when I heard the news of the death of Fr. Akiwowo.

It was not a passing, passing away should be gradual, but he left without saying goodbye to us or allowing us to bid him farewell, but that’s how Fr. Damola has always been, he lived simply, disturbed no one, but did his best. I have resisted some tears because I felt you have not died. But now I know you are gone. You called and backed away, and I know you were gone forever.

My first recollection of Damola was that he was one of the Oke - Ado youth that danced and acted a play at Oke - Ado for my Thanksgiving Mass. He narrated the story of how he puts the whole event together with other youths. (The smile I saw on his face then is still the same childlike puppy face smile and he retained it till the very end.) 

Then I went for Further Studies and when I came back and was posted to CKC, Odo Ona, he had just been ordained and was posted to Sacred Heart College, Akinyemi. We had many interactions together, and he consulted much about issues going on in the School at the time. When he was asked to go and do a Masters in Education, he would always ask for my opinion about certain things.  Fr. Akiwowo was a man on a mission, and he took his mission seriously.  Whatever you asked of him, he gave the best of himself. I remember when he was posted to Apomu, which was a struggling parish. He got a loan to buy and resell Palm Oil and when he was asked to go to Port Harcourt, He told me, “Fr, I have to sell everything, but I still need the money, ‘se ebinu.’” Throughout his period of study at Port-Harcourt, I never asked him but each time he came home, he would always call on me and say Fr. “Mi o gba gbe o.” He paid to the last penny in 2024. He was such a principled man and he remained true to his word and calling. Fr. Anthony Akiwowo was a man on mission, and he spent himself for the good of the Church and the people around him.

As the Director of Social Communications for the Archdiocese of Ibadan, he brought his skills and training to bear on the Moment of Grace and Mercy, arranging priests and others to be part of the programme and recording their reflections. He did this meticulously and professionally. I still remember the great length he took to organize the Press Conference for the 75th Birthday celebration of Archbishop Abegunrin. As the Editor of the Independent Newspaper, I wrote for him many times and on some occasions when he asked for materials for the editorial, when I could not be of help, he was still gracious “Fr. E ma worry, I will find something to do”. He did all that was humanly possible, and nothing less would have been accepted.  

Fr. Damola celebrated his 50th birthday in September last year and not too many people would have guessed that he was that old, he still looked like a man in his thirties and had the strength of a teenager.  Fr. Anthony took his health seriously; he avoided what he knew would do him no good, like salt or any drink containing sulphate.

Fr. Akiwowo was a selfless priest. He brought incredible changes to Mokola during his one and half years there, transforming the surroundings and lighting up the whole place. He was always willing to help parishes improve on their public address systems.

During the month of March, I was in his Parish thrice to do my recording of the Lenten reflection. When there was a delay, he apologized profusely. When he discovered we have made a mistake, that is, changing into a red stole instead of still using the purple one, he apologized to me that he would have edited it if it was possible.  He had hope that after Lent the Sunday reflections would continue throughout the year. But then God knows better, I hope this dream does not die with him.

As Pastor, Fr. Akiwowo was down to earth with the people.  He was firm and discipline, but he was not puffed up with power. He will explain himself if you need to hear it but in his heart, he was satisfied that he had done his best. The people of Mokola Parish will miss him.

He got to St. John the Baptist and immersed himself into the community.  Even when the house was not finished he moved in and continued the development work, now God that he served so well on earth has called him home to take possession of the mansion he has prepared before the world was made.

Finally, I know we have many questions begging for answers? Is that your concern now? I am sure it is not. Enjoy the view, bask in the glory of your eternal Father.  Behold the beautific vision, and smile on us here in this vale of tears.

Adieu my brother, your parents and family will miss you, the presbyterium misses you, Oke Ado guys miss you, your parishioners miss you, the world itself is wrenched, but we know you are home. And home is a beautiful place to be.