It was the year 2001. I had invited Prince Tony Momoh to speak at the 1st National Aviation Law and Business Seminar to be held at the NICON Hilton Abuja.
Having served as Chairman of the board of directors of Nigerian Airways from 1991 to 1993, one surmised that he would have a lot to share with our participants. He gladly accepted and on July 26, 2001, the first day of the 2-day Seminar, we both found ourselves at the departure lounge of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos waiting for our flights to Abuja. I had planned to be in Abuja the day before but last-minute preparations made that proposition a tall order.
I told myself that I would take the first flight to Abuja with one of the private airlines. Prince Tony Momoh told me that he had a Nigerian Airways ticket and added proudly that they will be the first to fly! This was at a period when people lacked faith in any government enterprise. But lo and behold, the Nigerian Airways flight was the first to be called. And so it happened that our Guest Speaker arrived at Abuja earlier than the Seminar organiser! Of course, Prince Tony Momoh delivered an excellent Paper.
This was the first time I will be engaging with this former Nigerian Federal Minister of Information & Culture and this brought us close. Many Sundays thereafter, whenever he saw me after the Hour of Worship on Grailland he will jokingly call me “Aviator”.
Momoh was a great processor of information. He cut his teeth in journalism as a sub-editor at the Daily Times in October 1962. He rose to become Editor and deputy general manager (June 1976 – May 1980). From September 1986 until 1990 he served his country as Minister of Information and Culture and was Chairman of the African Conference of Information Ministers from 1988 to 1990. He used his talents in information processing to write many books for the benefit of his fellow men.
A great man, yet simple. I had cause to visit him a few times in his Abuja residence. On each occasion he took his time to share his deep understanding of life and existence. And he does this with simple words and with smiles. One Sunday in Abuja he gifted me a 63-page book he wrote which is titled: The Crescent and the Moon. An interesting piece! I found a particular chapter of the book very interesting. He called it: EATING TO LIVE. In that chapter he shared the information he had gathered on the benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables.
Prince Tony Momoh was born on 27 April 1939 and departed from this earth on the very first day of February 2021. We who can call ourselves his earthly friends should rejoice with him now as he begins life in another fold amongst the uncountable folds in the Mantle of the Lord of Lords. He has only left the cloak that he used whilst he sojourned in these parts. A new path now begins for him in the lands of joyful activity! Our loving thoughts and prayerful wishes shall accompany him on his way.
