The rain of tributes continued to pour in on Tuesday for the Benin billionaire and philanthropist, Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo, who passed on on Sunday in the United Kingdom, after a battle with cancer.
The Benin residence of the retired commercial pilot at No 38, Aigobansimwin Crescent, GRA, witnessed footfalls of associates, friends and politicians, who came to pay their last respect to the late businessman.
Among those who called to sign the condolence was the former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr Pius Odubu, who described the late Okunbo as a consummate businessman with a heart of gold.
In a condolence letter to the family, Odubu said “Captain Hosa was a rare gem, an achiever and a record setter with a heart of gold. He saw it all and did it all. In the air he soared like an eagle, on the sea, he sailed effortlessly and while on land he was as steady as the rock of Gibraltar. A Consummate businessman and a philanthropist par excellence, he impacted all that came his way positively. If there is any soul that aptly epitomizes the saying that “it is well with my soul”, it is the soul of Captain Hosa.
“The Benin race, Edo People and indeed Nigerians have lost a rare gem”, Odubu submitted.
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC)in the 2020 governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, shared his conversation with Okunbo shortly after he was diagnosed of cancer.
In his tribute titled, “Where is Captain”?, Ize-Iyamu wrote: “The success of captain lies in his upward look. While others look downward and lament problems, he looks up and provide solutions.
“Who was captain looking up to? The answer is God. Captain believed so much in God that he would spend hours worshipping him. His good works and love for people was borne out of his unwavering love for God. He built churches and supported those working for God. He would frequently tell his friends that if not for God, where would he have been? He devoted time to seeking the face of God especially in handling complex issues”, Ize-Iyamu penned.
“Though he had an abundance of material possessions, his focus was not earthly but how to make heaven. When his illness was diagnosed Captain told me- “Osagie, I am not afraid of death. God loves me so much that he told me ahead when I will die giving me the unique opportunity to put my house in order”
In the condolence register at his residence, Ize-Iyamu wrote “Captain; brother, leader and friend congratulations on a triumphant exit. We feel the pain but acknowledge that our time is limited and you have played your part and excelled in flying colours. You are in a better place”.
Signing the register, the member representing Oredo Federal Constituency, Hon Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama wrote: “My leader my master, I am happy you had time to make peace with your God. Enjoy heaven.”
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Paschal Ugbome “A good man out, a great man has gone to be with our Lord. Rest in peace Baba, the Captain of all Hemispheres we shall meet again at the resurrection morning”.
and then