Dad told us ‘I’m going home’ hours before his death – Late Kola Oyewo’s son

The Nigerian entertainment industry is mourning the loss of legendary actor, scholar, and cultural icon Kola Oyewo, who died on Friday at the age of 80. His youngest son, Oluwatobi Oyewo, shared poignant details about his father's final moments, describing how the actor spoke in parables in the days leading up to his death.

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He was speaking in parables as if he was ready to go.

"He was speaking in parables as if he was ready to go," Oluwatobi recounted. "He kept telling my brother that it was sad that he would be leaving behind such good children." In a poignant exchange on Friday morning, his eldest son spoke with him via video call from the hospital. When asked if he was on his way home, Oyewo responded, "Yes, I am going home." His son later interpreted this not as a return to his residence, but as a reference to his impending transition.

Oyewo's passing comes after a period of managing a health condition. He had publicly disclosed his struggle with an enlarged prostate, diagnosed in 2019. While an initial surgery in 2019 was successful and allowed him to maintain a degree of independence, including driving himself, his health began to decline towards the end of last year. His son noted that Oyewo could no longer perform simple tasks like driving.

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He kept telling my brother that it was sad that he would be leaving behind such good children.

Despite the health challenges, Oyewo's family respected his wishes. "Because of his age, there was no way we could have told him to undergo another surgery," Oluwatobi explained. The doctors had described his situation as "50-50," and Oyewo himself was reportedly not convinced about further surgical intervention. He had come to terms with his mortality, expressing that he had fulfilled his purpose in life and was happy to see his children thrive.

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Yes, I am going home.

Oluwatobi described his father as a "very strong person" who had never spent a night in the hospital before his final illness. Oyewo was known for his active lifestyle, frequently traveling and enjoying driving across the country. His passing leaves a significant void in Nigeria's cultural landscape, remembered for his contributions to the arts and his enduring legacy.

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Aduke, I am now ready.