Death has dealt a mortal blow to the ancient city. The Kingdom of Benin is in mourning; The state of Edo mourns the loss of an illustrious son. Nigeria regrets the departure of a hero and patriot. He was a hero to his people and to many across the country, who benefited from a heart filled with the milk of human kindness.
That the death of Captain (Dr.) Idahosa Wells Okunbo is causing thunderous emotions and feelings on earth cannot be unexpected: when an Iroko falls in the forest, it vibrates everywhere, the earth trembles, the leaves crumble in obedience to the force of gravity. And everyone can say that something important has happened.
Captain Hosa or Capi for his many friends and admirers falls into the category of men, of whom William Shakespeare wrote: "When beggars die, no kites are seen, but the heavens shine with the death of princes."
Since the early hours of Sunday, August 8, when the news of his death leaked from London, after a prolonged battle with the big C, it has been a torrent of tears, a deluge of messages of condolence, reminiscences about life and life. time of the famous ex-commercial pilot, business magnate, philanthropist and humanist.
From President Muhammadu Buhari, former military leader Ibrahim Babangida, Governor Godwin Obaseki, former Governors John Odigie-Oyegun, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to other notable Nigerians, numerous friends and associates, and all those who knew or had contact with him. As long as he lived, he has been the same story: a good man, a trusted brother and friend, an astute businessman, a brilliant family man; a man of peace and a lover of people, the city and the countryside; an international businessman but firmly rooted in the rich culture of the kingdom of Benin.
For a writer who lives on the word and has done countless columns on various topics and subjects, this is a tribute that has been difficult for me to write: he was an older brother, a maternal relative with whom I had several interactions.
We had a special relationship. He was always proud to introduce me as his brother. This is Eric Osagie. Do you know him na? He is my relative, a blood relative. "He often told me how kind my late mother was to him.
Another incident that comes to mind was in 2008. I had just taken over as one of Comrade Oshiomhole's first three appointments after he was declared the winner on November 9, 2008. I was Special Adviser on Public Affairs and Strategy. Captain Hosa was one of the first to call the Government House, being one of those who strongly supported its emergence. When he saw me, he gave me a bear hug: "Comrade, they told me this is my brother." Turning to me, he said, โLook, you have to come to the house. Where are you staying? You can't be in a hotel when I have a house in this city. "
The demands of duty did not make me visit him often during my brief stay in government at Oshiomhole. I came out just a year later. However, once I calmly entered his residence in Benin, he was very happy to receive me. Look, this is your house. You can come in whenever you want and go wherever you want. "He told his wife:" This is my cousin Na. They treat me well. "
However, we have become particularly close in recent years. Being a major player in the business world, it was not surprising that he had problems related to interface with the public. That's where I came in. He respected my views on media issues, which he often sought and obtained. Especially in his business forays that brought him into conflict with friend and foe in the shark-infested business world. Politics and his political alliances were not what we used to agree to, even though I respected and granted him his right (of choice).
To show his love for me, as well as his generosity of heart, he not only attended the launch of my book: THE BIG INTERVIEWS at the Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Center, Abuja on December 10, 2019, he surprised me and everyone when the largest donor emerged, a promise he redeemed in less than 48 hours!
It wasn't just her donation that touched me, it was the fact that she had to cancel a previously scheduled business trip abroad. โLook, Eric, if it's because of you, I have no reason not to come. Don't forget that you are my own brother. It has also been of great help to us in the company โ.
If I thought you were joking, I couldn't have been more wrong. He was one of the first to arrive, as were Alhaji Ismaila Isa Funtua (who was president), Uncle Sam Amuka, John Odigie-Oyegun, Adams Oshiomhole, representatives of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Aminu Bello Masari and my friend and brother, Governor Nyesom Wike.
Captain Okunbo not only came, he sat down during the event and shook the gathering when it was his turn to step up to the rostrum.
โFor all the good work you have been doing for us at OMS, I will donate N15m; and for the family, since you are my brother, I am donating the sum of N10m on my behalf and on behalf of other family members โ. The hall exploded!
Am I remembering him then or am I engaged in this praise simply because of his generosity of heart, his deep concern and affection for others, or because he was a relative or relative? Of course, no.
Captain Idahosa Okunbo was a truly good man; a compassionate man with a big heart. There are several testimonies of the assistance he provided to individuals and families in distress, many of whom did not know or did not even remember their names or faces. He loved to give. He loved putting smiles on people's faces. He himself always wore a wide and bright smile.
Being of destitute origin, he had seen and tasted poverty. I knew it didn't taste good. So his entire life was a struggle to conquer the monster and free others from its suffocating grip. He succeeded, to a great extent. For the glory of God.
Captain Okunbo worked hard and played hard. He loved humanity, he loved people, all people. It did not discriminate in the limits of ethnicity, religion, gender, class or those primordial feelings that put a barrier between man and man, and kept our country glued to backwardness. He had friends and associates from different parts of the country. The world was his oyster.
Of course, he was not a saint; it was not infallible either. No man is. However, his flaws contrasted with his advantages and clearly revealed a man with a clean heart, without malice towards anyone. If he was hurt, his anger quickly faded and dissolved in the morning dew.
What could count as his biggest flaw (if you can call it that) was that he often trusted his friends, acquaintances, and business allies too much. He suffered serial betrayals because of this.
He was not a politician, although he had political allies and allies. I think some of them took advantage of their general good nature to feather their personal nest. I didn't think he understood the tricks and appearances of political sharks. I thought he shouldn't have gotten involved like he did. We did not agree in that regard.
For me, there are three important points in the life and times of Captain Hosa: Love. Commitment. Patriotism. He genuinely loved. He genuinely gave. He was committed to family, friends, and the community. He was a proud son of Benin and Edo; a patriotic Nigerian, who invested his energy and resources to boost the Nigerian economy, as witnessed by none other than President Buhari.
Although some forces may have tried to portray him cruelly in some aspects of his maritime business, his invaluable and patriotic contributions to the country's national development will no doubt be appreciated in the fullness of time. He was concerned about service to his country.
Yes, he was an extremely brilliant man. Pilot with just 21 years old and retired commercial flight captain at 30. Then he established a business chain and had his hands in various sectors: oil and gas, maritime, real estate, security, hotel and hospitality, agriculture among others, and it was quite remarkable in all companies.
He told me how his pilot training gave him a boost in business, in terms of critical and strategic thinking.
โAs a driver, you are always making decisions, critical decisions. He is constantly involved in risk analysis. For example, if you are flying and you have 200 people on board, you are loading the destination, the destinations of all of them in the cabin. There are people who have weddings to attend; some have exams, job interviews, hospitals, vacations, etc. Now, if there is an emergency or you have to make an air return, you are the only one who is seeing what they do not see, the dangers that lie ahead or the safety. You have to do a risk analysis: are you continuing the trip or not? Just make a decision. You can inform the passengers; sometimes you don't. Just do your risk analysis, make a decision, and stick with it. There is no room for evasion or indecision when you are in the cockpit. A fatal mistake, everyone falls. That critical thinking and risk assessment have been helpful in my business decisions. "
Now Captain Hosa will no longer fly as a pilot or in the corporate world, where he rose as a colossus. He has boarded his last flight. The flight of no return. Only the memories, the good memories of his extraordinary life and times are engraved on many hearts!
Goodbye, Captain Idahosa Wells Beach!
- Osagie is former CEO of SUN Newspapers and editor-in-chief of This Nigeria
