By Francis Sadhere, Osogbo
Tears flowed freely on Friday, October 30, 2026, as Warri-based journalist, Comrade Syvelster Idowu, and his siblings laid their mother, late Mrs. Felicia Adetola Idowu, to rest in Osun State.
The children of the deceased were visibly overwhelmed with emotions as they bade their mother farewell during the funeral ceremony, reflecting the deep bond they shared with her.
Syvelster, a correspondent of THISDAY Newspaper in Warri, Delta State, struggled to hold back his emotions as he led other family members in committing their mother’s remains to mother earth.
The funeral service was held at St. Benedict Catholic Cathedral, Popo-Osogbo, Osun State, where family members, friends, colleagues and well-wishers gathered to pay their last respects to the deceased.
Speaking with journalists after the ceremony, Syvelster described his mother’s burial as a celebration of life, recalling the sacrifices she made in raising him and his siblings following the death of their father, Idowu, at the age of 44.
He said his late mother took responsibility for the family after their father’s demise, providing the love, care, support and guidance they needed to grow.
According to him, the loss was particularly painful because his mother had remained his closest source of comfort and support whenever he faced challenges.
“That motherly love, whenever I have issues, she is the first person I run to. It is a celebration of life because my father died at 44,” he said.
The journalist also consoled his siblings and other members of the Idowu family, urging them to remain strong and live worthy lives, bearing in mind that there is life after death.
Earlier in his sermon, the Parish Priest of St. Benedict Catholic Cathedral, Rev. Fr. Komola Femi, urged the congregation to embrace a life of righteousness and remain conscious of their mortality.
He reminded the congregation that earthly power, wealth and achievements were temporary, stressing that everyone would eventually return to dust.
“Our homeland is in heaven, and no matter how powerful you think you are, you are created out of dust and dust you shall return,” the priest said.
Our correspondent reports that after the funeral service, Syvelster Idowu hosted guests to a lavish reception in Osun State in honour of his late mother.
