As Edo people in particular and Nigerians in general, around the world mourn the death of Edo-born billionaire business mogul and philanthropist, Captain Hosa Okunbo, his family, some moments ago, formally announced his exit.
The family made the announcement in a statement signed by Dr. Tinyan Okunbo, head of the Okunbo family, and made available to the media by late Captain Okunbo’s Media Consultant, Samuel Ajayi.
The family, however, thanked God for a life of service and dedication to humanity that the late businessman lived.
“The family of Late Evangelist Robert Amos Okunbo of Orhua Town in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State has announced the passing unto glory of its crowned jewel, son, brother, father, husband, grandfather, philanthropist and business magnate, Capt. (Dr) Idahosa Wells Okunbo, who passed on in the early hours of the 8th of August 2021 after a gallant fight with pancreatic cancer.”
“We do not mourn like those that have no hope and we take solace in the fact that he lived a good life and he has gone to be with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” the statement said.
The family thanked everyone for their prayers and support all through this trying period and craved the understanding of all and sundry at this trying time and would want the immediate family be allowed to “grief in privacy.”
The statement further said that further announcements would be communicated at a later date.
Okunbo died last night in London, 12 months after doctors told him he had nine months to live. He is survived by widow, Nosa, and children.
Late Okunbo, had moved to London a year ago for treatment.
Rumors surfaced in October last year that he was in a coma, pinning his illness to the outcome of Edo State governorship election of last year.
Okunbo dismissed such rumors in a statement, saying:
“My attention has been drawn to a rash of social media posts concerning my health and the inhuman manner in which it is being orchestrated to look as if it was as a result of the outcome of the September 19 Edo State governorship election, in which I publicly supported Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
“It is evidently ungodly for people to gloat over the fact that I am not feeling well. I have never claimed to be a superhuman. I do not deny the fact that I am not well.
“I am outside the country for my medicals, which were delayed because of the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“After a series of tests, my doctors confirmed that I have some health issues. It is, therefore, ill-advised and inhuman for those who are not comfortable with the position I took in the Edo election to joyfully circulate in the social media that I have health issues and that I have slid into a coma.
“Well, I leave them all to God.
“I am over 60 years. I thank God who gave me the gift of life, an opportunity to live a good life, the grace to build a legacy of achievements and, most importantly, a good name, which is better than silver and gold.
“I hold dearly to heart the words of the scriptures that there is a time to be born; and a time to die.”
Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo was born in Benin City on 7th January 1958, to the family of Reverend Robert Amos Okunbo, a clergyman, teacher and community leader.
Okunbo had his primary education at Government Primary School Benin City, Edo State. He proceeded to Federal Government College, Warri, in 1971, where he sat for West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
He proceeded to Nigerian Civil Aviation Training Centre, Zaria, Kaduna State, and became a professional commercial pilot at the age of 21. He also attended ACME School of Aeronautics, Fort Worth Texas in 1983, where he obtained an Airline Transport Pilot License.(2)
Upon graduation, Okunbo became a professional commercial pilot, and was made a captain in 1983 at the age of 25. He was a flight captain with Intercontinental Airlines for about two years, before joining Okada Airlines for three years.
In 1988, he retired from piloting at the age of 30, having logged over 7,000 hours of flight time, and ventured into private business.
He established Hoslyn Ventures Nigeria Ltd,a company that was involved with procurement in the Nigerian petroleum sector.
He founded and chaired the following Nigerian companies:
CMES-OMS Petroleum Development Company (CPDC), which, in September 2019, signed $875.75m alternative financing deal for the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC);The Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments, Abuja;Wells Hosa Green Farms among others.
Okunbo received the Africa Titans Award in 2012, from the Congress of the United States in collaboration with the African Society Summit, in recognition of his “strides on behalf of Africa in the international arena.
Also, in November 2012, the University of Benin conferred on him an honorary Doctor of Science degree, and In March 2017, he received Businessman of the Year award at the ‘2016 Vanguard Personality of Year Awards.
On Saturday, September 21, 2019, in Geneva, Switzerland, he was bestowed with the Global Peace Award from the chairman of the Order of Lafayette Awards, “in recognition of his efforts in global peace and business innovations.”
Okunba was granted the “Worthy Ambassador of Unity Award” as an old student of Federal Government College, Warri in March 2016.
