Mors est semper novissima et inexspectata. Death, ever enigmatic in its grandeur, has once again cast its inescapable shadow upon us. In a sorrowful twist of fate, the grim reaper has claimed a luminous star from the firmament of the Nigerian Catholic Church—Reverend Father Dr. Anthony Oyedamola Akinwowo, esteemed Director of Social Communications for the Archdiocese and Ecclesiastical Province of Ibadan.

The Archdiocese of Ibadan conveyed the heartbreaking news in a statement:

Dear Monsignori and Reverend Fathers,

It is with profound sorrow that I announce the passing of our beloved brother priest, Reverend Father Anthony Oyedamola Akinwowo, who departed this mortal life today.

Let us unite in prayer, imploring the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, that Fr. Akinwowo’s soul may be welcomed into the heavenly kingdom.

Though weighty in its solemn nature, the announcement was met with an undercurrent of disquiet. Many lamented the absence of the official Archdiocesan letterhead, a detail that some see as symptomatic of a growing informality in ecclesiastical communications—a concern similarly raised following the obituary of the late Bishop Ayo-Maria Atoyebi.

A native of  Ondo State and ordained in 2007 for the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan, Fr. Akinwowo was a man of prodigious intellect and theological depth. In June 2022, he successfully defended his doctoral thesis in Communication Studies, specializing in Educational Communication. Until his passing, he served as the Communication Director of both the Catholic Ecclesiastical Province of Ibadan and the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan. He was also the parish priest of St. John the Baptist Parish, Airport, Ibadan. His scholarly rigour, pastoral zeal, and passionate commitment to the Church made him a formidable force in ecclesiastical discourse.

Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) received the tragic news from the Coordinator of the Staff Welfare Committee and Head of the Department of Spiritual Theology, Very Revd. Fr. Dr.  Andrew Otu. The revelation sent shockwaves through the academic and clerical communities alike.

The Rector of CIWA, Very Revd Fr. Prof. Jude Abidemi Asanbe, voiced his profound grief:

OMG! What a great loss! Condolences to Your Grace, the presbyterium, and the entire faithful of Ibadan Archdiocese. I was still hoping that he would join CIWA Staff one day. May he rest in perfect peace. Amen.

Similarly, Fr. Prof. Egere, who moderated Fr. Akinwowo’s thesis and serves as Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, expressed his sorrow:

Fr. Akinwowo, why so soon? Difficult to say goodnight at the prime of your life. CESACC is saddened by your unceremonious, painful exit. Fr. Tony, what will happen to our grand plans to celebrate CESACC at 25? May the angels welcome you to paradise as you rest on.

Reverend Father Dr. Chijioke Azuawusiefe, SJ,  the head of Communication Department,  was deeply shaken:

What?! What shocking news! What a great loss! Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon him. May God console his family, the Archdiocese of Ibadan, and the CIWA community.

Fr. Isaiah Isaiah Patrick, CIWA alumnus and contemporary of the deceased, struggled to grasp the reality of the loss:

I spoke with you a few days back, and you never mentioned you were sick. You answered my call, and we agreed I would come to Ibadan for a week to finalize editing. So, is this how you wanted me to come? This is unbearably painful.

Fr.  Martin Obasi lamented the fleeting nature of life:

Nothing dey this life, period! Friends, let us pray for the repose of his soul. He was a vibrant, intelligent, and capable young man. The Archdiocese of Ibadan has lost a rare gem. A treasure has returned to his Creator. So painful. I traveled with you to Ekiti last year; it was a long ride filled with laughter and camaraderie. Hmm… Rest on, brother.

Fr. Sylvester Jalo, a recent CIWA graduate, was equally stunned:

This is unbelievable and deeply tragic. I remember seeing his PhD defense clip circulating just yesterday. Kaiiii! This life is but a fleeting vapor. May his gentle soul find eternal rest in the bosom of the Lord.

Fr. Akinwowo was more than an academic; he was a beacon of wisdom, generosity, and relentless commitment to the Church’s mission. He sought knowledge not for himself, but for the enlightenment of others. His heart beat for service, his mind for discovery, and his soul for faith.

In the words of St. Paul: “Mors, ubi est victoria tua? Ubi est, mors, stimulus tuus?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). Though death has laid claim to his mortal frame, his legacy shall endure in the annals of the Church and in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Amen.