Eulogies as billionaire Hosa okunbo is buried

It was a parade of society’s who is who across Nigeria as the remains of Edo State born business mogul, Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo were yesterday laid to rest after a funeral service at the Nigerian Airforce 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 Muhammadau 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. 
Also, the Oba of Benin and the Olu of Warri sent prominent palace chiefs to the event.  Delivering his homily, Pastor Godheart Ekweme said there is time for everything and that Okunbo had sent the better part of the last one year in “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 class 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, late Okunbo’s first son, Osahon said his father’s life was guided by two principles which he said are love and mercy.  According to him,  “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 impart 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.”