Benin Billionaire, Captain Hosa, buried amidst eulogies

The ancient city of Benin, Edo State capital, on Friday, witnessed the presence of billionaires, international business icons and the nation’s who is who, as the remains of Edo State-born business mogul, Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo, popularly known as Captain Hosa, were interred in a private vault after a funeral service at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Benin City.

Dignitaries who witnessed the funeral rites of the late philanthropist included the host governor, Godwin Obaseki, his Deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, Obaseki’s counterpart from Lagos, Ogun and Kebbi States; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Prince Dapo Abiodun and Atiku Bagudu respectively.

Others were two daughters of President Muhammadu Buhari; Halima and Zara and their husbands. former governors of Edo, Delta, Gombe and Borno States; Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Chief James Ibori, Hassan Dakwambo Alli Modu Sheriff respectively.

From the Royalty came the representatives of the Oba of Benin and the Olu of Warri, who is the son-in-law to the late Okunbo.

In his homily, Pastor Godheart Ekuweme said there was a time for everything and that Okunbo had sent the better part of the last one year in “deeper relationship with his creator.”

Governor Obaseki, while speaking on behalf of all the dignitaries present, described Okunbo as an uncommon Nigerian who “could be described as a genius, a breaker of glass ceilings, a bridge-builder, a business tycoon, a philanthropist extraordinaire.”

“Captain Hosa as we fondly called him was a man with a big heart, although he had humble beginnings he was armed with unyielding resolve as his children have said and he was determined to surmount life’s challenges and he did.

“He pushed himself to the limits to attain greatness, building an impressive business empire and transforming the lives of numerous people, many of them of Edo origin.

“A trained pilot, he mastered the air quite early in life and searched for the land in the maritime sectors prevailing in all spheres.

“He embodied hard work, perseverance, dexterity and acumen which espoused his Edo heritage. Captain was a philanthropist who gave lavishly off himself and his resources.

“He will be remembered for his undying love for Edo people. His desire for the progress and development of our dear state, the Niger Delta region and Nigeria as well as his invaluable contributions to building bridges across the country will never be forgotten.

“In building a vast business empire that spanned maritime, logistics, security, transpiration, agriculture and hospitality, he displayed a rare business acumen providing employment for thousands of Nigerians and contributing immensely to our nation’s development and progress. He was a devout family man. Undoubtedly, his exit will leave a gaping hole in the hearts of the people he imparted so dearly,” Obaseki eulogised.

Also speaking, the late Okunbo’s first son, Osahon, said his father’s life was guided by two principles which he said: “are love and mercy.”

“His life is a lesson and every chance you have to spend with him; he tells you a story from his experience and from the Bible. I once asked him, why do you forgive so easily, there are so many people around him that hurt him very deeply but still, he had them around him and he said my son, do you know the reason God will always deliver my enemies at my feet? It is because God knows I will have mercy upon them. He said his two guiding principles were love and mercy; those were the two principles he lived his life by.

“He told me something in the heat of this cancer problem, he said my son everybody is not supposed to live long, it is not the length of your life, it is about the impact you leave behind. He said I have always told you people when you were growing up and all of us from the first to last will testify to this, he will say once I have paid your school fees, everything else is ‘jara’. I will sell everything I have to enjoy myself that was what he told us growing up. He said God sent me here to do something and for the past four days, people have spoken about it,” Osahon lauded.

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