Friends, family and acquaintances of ex-staff of MITV, Mr Damilola Akingbagbohun gathered on Saturday, February 1 in Lagos to celebrate him and honour his memory.
Akingbagbohun who studied Dramatic Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University was the producer of Church Diary, a programme that ran on some television stations in the early 2000.
He worked at the MITV as a producer for a couple of years before he veered off to start his own venture called Damsar Communications
Unfortunately he bowed to the cold hands of death on February 1 2024 after a brief illness at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
At the event, many recalled the impact he made while on earth and how he was a blessing to them.
A pastor, Adebolu Olatidoye spoke extensively on how Akingbagbohun used his clout to pull him out of poverty. ‘I was a nobody when I met him. But he saw that God was using me for his glory. He could not reconcile the anointing on my life with my outlook. So he began to work on me.
‘He took me to AsabeAfrika TV and I was featured on the online television. Not long after my appearance, I began to get calls from different parts of the world. People started blessing me. That was how my story changed. ‘
Olatidoye said he was devastated by the death of the late TV producer saying only God can repay the late TV producer for the impact he made in my life. ‘
Both Bassey Ubi and Dr Olawale Edun recalled how they worked closely together and the great impact he made in their lives.
Several others shared testimonies of the departed media man. They described him as a man who had love for people and was always desirous of the progress of others.
A life of impact
Ministering at the memorial event, Prophetess Modupe Ajelowo described Akingbagbohun as a selfless media man who used his resources to promote kingdom enterprise.
She recalled how he used his platform to help many people including her ministry and the great impact he made while he was alive.
Making reference to the great life Akingbagbhun lived, she charged those at the event to reflect on their lives and do away with things that will not bring glory to God.
She noted that many people have been called to do God’s bidding but they have allowed the cares of this world to distract them
Drawing lessons from the Biblical Jonah, she said, ‘Many people like Jonah are busy running away from God’s assignment. While Jonah was running away, he entered a ship and became a problem to all the passengers in the ship. He was living in disobedience. Until he confessed his sin, there was no respite in the ship.’
Death according to her will come to everyone. ‘The question is what will become of you when you get to your bus stop. Where will you spend eternity. Our brother Dami has got to his bus stop.
‘I got to know him through his work. He impacted many people. God sent him to many people and he delivered the message. Those of us alive must ask ourselves, are we doing what God asked us to do?’
Caleb the younger brother of Late Akingbagbohun gave a graphic description of how his elder brother passed on. He recalled that he was almost becoming a spectacle as the doctors could not do much to help him.
‘His death did not happen because we did not spend money or attend to him. But it seems the doctors were at a loss on what to do. Blood was transfused into his body when it was discovered he was short of blood. But in less than 24 hours he was stooling and vomiting blood till he passed on. But we thank God still.’
Also at the event was evangelist Witness Ken Paul who worked closely with the late broadcaster. He recalled his tenacity and sense of purpose. ‘ He has finished his own race and he is in a better place..we can only pray for ourselves and do the work of soul winning as he did.’
Ken Paul who has been a campaigner of the second coming of Christ said Akingbagbohun impacted many lives with the last film he directed tilted, Beyond the deadline. ‘That film was a blessing to many. God used the film to bring many people to himself .’
End may come anytime
He told the attendees to prepare that the end may come anytime. ‘Those who died in the crash in the US would not have thought they would go that way. But it happened still. Nobody knows what will happen the next moment. That is why we have to be prepared to answer God’s call anytime.’
Ken Paul distributed a copy of his book titled Behold I come quickly free of charge to all those who attended the event.
Why the memorial service
The managing director of Asabe Afrika Television, Mr. Gbenga Asabe who was the brain behind the event said he had to do the event because of the need to honour the memory of the late Akingbagbohun. ‘He was a brother to me. We worked closely during his days at the defunct MITV as a TV producer.
‘During the last few years of his life, I was also privileged to work closely with him. It’s painful that he died suddenly because nobody expected that the sickness would claim his life.
‘Our prayers is that God will keep the family he left behind and continually make the seed he sowed while in the world to continue to bear fruit. He was simply an ideas man and a great patriot.’
