The remains of the late billionaire business mogul, Capt. Hosa Okunbo, was on Friday laid to rest at his private residence in the outskirt of Benin City, Edo State. The three-day funeral programme attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, writes Mudiaga Affe
From August 8, 2021, when he died to Friday, October 8, when he was buried, the home of Captain Idahosa Okunbo, attracted dignitaries including the high and the mighty, middle class and the low in the society.
His life, according to the accounts and testimonies from those who had contacts with him in his 63 years of sojourn on earth, was that of giving most humbly.
From the ceremony at his London residence where the funeral rites began to the final resting place in Benin City, it was all a testimony of a life well spent on earth.
The testimonies depicted that of a man, who practically shared his wealth and experiences with his family, friends, business associates, the needy and downtrodden, among many others.
No wonder last Friday’s gathering was that of who is who across Nigeria when the remains of Okunbo were privately laid to rest after a funeral service at the Nigerian Air Force base in Benin City.
Among dignitaries present were serving governors including the governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, and his Deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, his counterpart from Lagos, Ogun, and Kebbi states; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and Atiku Bagudu, respectively.
Others included two daughters of President Muhammadu Buhari; Halima and Zara and their husbands. Former governors of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Delta State, Chief James Ibori, Gombe State, Hassan Dakwambo and Borno State, Alli Modu Sheriff. The Oba of Benin and the Olu of Warri sent prominent palace chiefs to the event.
Delivering his homily, Pastor Godheart Ekweme said there was a time for everything and that Okunbo had spent the better part of the last year in a ‘deeper relationship with his creator’.
Speaking on behalf of all the dignitaries present, Obaseki 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.”
On his part, the late Okunbo’s first son, Osahon said his father’s life was guided by two principles which he said were love and mercy.
He said, “His life is a lesson, and every chance you have to spend with him; he tells you a story from his experience and 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.”
His testimony was not different from that of his sister, the Olori, and the wife of the Olu of Warri, Atuwatse III, who said her father was a man of many parts who touched people’s lives at their point of needs.
She said, “I would liken my father to like Joseph’s coat of many colours, he was a man of many parts and sides, and each of his stripes is reflected through all his children. As you look at each one of us, each stripe unique yet reflecting a piece of his personality.”
But reading out her tribute to her dad as if she was relating with him directly, the Olori said, “Daddy, we love you for an infinite number of reasons. We are blessed to have had you as our father, and we are deeply grateful for the wonderful life you gave us. “Daddy, your love, patience, understanding, wisdom, and sense of humour will live with us forever. You were a devoted father and a fun one. You gave us some of our best memories, and we will never forget your singing or your amazing dance moves! I miss your voice. I miss your singing. Thank you for embodying true love.
“Most importantly, thank you for giving us the most precious gifts—a good name and a solid foundation. We didn’t get to tell you often how much we loved you. How truly important you were to us all.
“So, dad, as you look down on us from your place of glory, know that you are remembered in this lifetime by all who knew you. Your name will be etched in history for generations to come in our lineage and beyond. You were a father like no other. We will keep your memory burning like a lamp till we meet again to part no more. We miss you, and we love you. I love you. Rest well, Dad.”
A former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress and immediate past governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, the Senator representing, Edo South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Matthew Urhoghide, former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, were among the dignitaries that turned up for the Service of Songs for the late Captain Hosa Okunbo at his Benin City residence.
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Also in attendance were, Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, former deputy governors, Pius Odubu, Lucky Imasuen, and Pastors Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Itua Ighodalo, among others.
Declaring the Service of Song open with the words of prayer, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, said many have read about the Acts of the Apostles and that time is coming when people would also read about the Acts of Captain Hosa Wells Okunbo. Video clips of the late Capt. Okunbo were repeatedly displayed on the broad screens placed conspicuously at various strategic places in the tent that housed thousands of friends and business associates who attended the Service of Songs.
In his short exhortation, taken from the book of Ecclesiastes 8, the preacher, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, encouraged the children to take solace in the good deeds of their late father noting that it is not how many years one spends on earth that matters but how impactful it is.
He said late Captain Hosa Wells Okunbo was larger than life and that death has taken the very best from the earth. Ighodalo urged the children of the deceased never to forget their late father’s legacies but to always keep his memory alive.
Speaking for the family, the immediate younger brother to the deceased, Kingsley Okunbo, described his late elder brother as a single tree that has made the forest through his generosity to humanity.
He said he would never forget his words of advice which says “Never do evil and if you cannot do good stay neutral.”
Kingsley said he is consoled with the fact that his elder brother, Captain Hosa is in heaven, just as he promised to unite the entire family as one indivisible entity.
In his tribute, a day earlier, an Executive Director of Ocean Marine Solution, Oyekunle Oyelakun, described the late Okunbo as his godfather and a man whose generosity knew no bounds. Oyelakun added that the late Captain taught him morals and how to love humanity.
Also speaking, Managing Director, Rear Admiral Ameen Ikioda (retd.) described him as a man whose love and his generosity were to a fault.
He said Captain Hosa did not die for his works live on.
Ikioda charged the children of the deceased not to allow the dreams of their father to die but to build on his legacies.
Another speaker, Chidi Nwonkoma, said Okunbo loved the Benin people so much and never turned his ears and eyes off when he saw and heard anyone spoke the Bini language without turning to help him or her.
Many more had good words to say before, during, and after the late Okunbo was finally laid to rest in a rest residence at the outskirt of Benin City. The summation was that his (Okunbo) was a life well spent.
