Photos: Benin City Says Goodbye To Captain Idahosa Okunbo In Grand Style

Goodbye is hard to say to a man whose love language was ‘’ giving’’ when he was alive.

News Rain Nigeria gathered that the word ‘’ goodbye ‘’ is heavy to say because the late Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo was a man who showed love effortlessly. He was indeed a perfect gentleman who lived a life worthy of emulation and his kindness to people was incomparable.

The sonnet of the late English poet, John Donne ‘’ death, be not proud’’ as the same weight
to how people describe the infelicitous passage of ‘’Capi ‘’ as he was fondly called by family,
friends and business associates. His death was an irreplaceable loss that people never seemed to believe.

Truly, life is not forever. It is a scene we all mortal must pass and the scene comes with
different trajectories before death comes as the final destination. His demise was unforgettable because he was a dependable friend, an invaluable father and lovely husband to his wife. However, the Late Captain Hosa Okunbo’s large heart and generous spirit endeared him to young and old in Benin City and Nigeria as a nation.

He was constantly giving his best all times, in ensuring people around him were happy, also
his calm mien was certainly remarkable because of his enduring legacy of altruism.

In fact, the late Captain Hosa Okunbo was phenomenal. He was purposeful and resourceful. He was globally recognized as a peace builder, a social crusader and bridge between the conservative and the liberal. He was also a doer because his magnanimity at home and abroad inspired the youth to be the best version of themselves.

To live is not forever, it is for a period, and everybody will pass away when the time comes.
And losing someone like ‘’ Capi’’ was a loss of immense proportion. He was an uncommon
philanthropist, large hearted and cheerful giver that gave his time and resources unquestionably.

The loss occasioned by his demise had transcended people grieving. His exist was heartfelt. He was perhaps, one man that everybody loves compassionately, due to his outstanding reputation as an industrialist and a business titan. His numerous businesses have helped to economically emancipate many Nigerians.

Edo state capital, Benin City was packed full of friends who thronged the funeral of the late
business titan by road and by air. The event started with the song of service at his residence in GRA, Benin City.

The venue was a gathering of young and old, poor and rich, who came to honour the
deceased because his benevolence spoke volumes, loud and clear, and it was an exceptional reference for the life well spent. Although, it was supposed to be an evening of grieving but it was indeed an evening of celebration.

The song of service that was held in the memory of the Late Captain Hosa Wells Okunbo
came with all remarks. The master of ceremonies at the service of song was the popular TV
host, Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa, known as IK. He welcomed the special invited dignitaries
and top government officials who graced the occasion. And it was a conciliatory evening,
while the opening prayer was delivered by Pastor, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who is also a friend and associate to the deceased.

The moment after the opening prayer, families and invited guests all stood on their feet for
the hymn recitation. When someone dies, hymns aren’t just to say ‘’ goodbye ‘’ but they are like an exorcism. But after the hymn recitation, Late Captain’s immediate brother, Kingsley Okunbo, gave an unwavering eulogy to his brother, who he fondly called ‘’ Broda Hosa’’.

In his words, he described the late Captain Hosa, as a man who strived for excellence. He
also gave a short account of how the deceased gave him 10 naira while he was on the sick
bed after surviving a fatal accident during his training as a commercial pilot in Zaria, Kaduna state. Kingsley’s eulogy to his late brother was indeed chock-full.

Life is worthless if someone doesn’t have friends and families who could say good thing
about someone. But for the late Captain Hosa, people say good things about him. They said
his legacies was enviable. They said he made loftiness, with his courteous smile.

Immediately after his brother’s eulogy, the deceased first daughter, who is also the delectable queen to the king of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, gave the scripture reading from the book of Ecclesiastes. Her reading was copious saying: ‘’ to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven ‘’

She finished her scripture reading and the multi-talented saxophonist, BJ SAX thrilled the
audience with a fitful praise and worship. Although, it was a service of song, but the audience pirouetted to his electrifying sax. Sometimes, if someone dies, we thought of mourning forever, rather than to learn from the deceased’s life. And this was exactly what the deceased son, Osahon Okunbo addressed while doing his scripture reading from Isaiah: 57-1-2.

Other children of the deceased also shared emotional tributes about their late father. It was a moment they spoke compassionately about their father’s love for them and how he cared and encouraged them to be the best version of themselves.

The service of song’s exhortation, was officiated by pastor of the Trinity House Church, Ituah Ighodalo, who gave a beautiful and well educative sermon about the deceased’s life. The preaching was perhaps the most gracious talk during the service of song. When he left the stage, the multifaceted soloist, Frank De Tenor gave the audience a worship song with his vocal composition.

Also, the Abuja based pastor, Goodheart Ekueme prayed for the family during this trying
times. He also encouraged them to be bond to each other. The closing hymn was done by the Lagos choristers; and the closing prayer was delivered by Pastor Fred Idahosa.

Photos: Benin City Says Goodbye To Captain Idahosa Okunbo In Grand Style

THE FUNERAL SERVICE
The Air-force base, along airport road, Benin City, stood still as distinguished governors, past and present, captain of industry, chiefs from the Benin and Warri Kingdom, were all present to honour the remains of Late Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo.

It was decorated and planned by Zapphaire event and was anchored by the talented, IK, while the opening prayer was delivered by Bishop Okundaye. And to live long be the grace of God, and to die too young, with honours and plaudits is also the grace of God. It was this grace that bestowed captain Hosa as guests read the hymns when his remains arrived at the venue.

The host called another son, of the late business tycoon, Nosa Okunbo to give his scripture reading. The young man read with his sorrowful voice, but the whole essence of his reading is that life means nothing from the book of Revelation: 14:17.

One thing life gives to the remains of people after they have gone is the guidance of keeping their memories alive. And this memories were what guests would keep alive as he was laid at the centre stage in his well-designed coffin.

Olori Autwatse III, read her excitable eulogy, and talked about the testament she received
from people about her father even before his glorious exit. Her dirge to her beloved father
was genuine and profound. She apparently described him a lovely father. The gorgeous and
ever- stunning queen also gave an equitable encomium to her siblings and her step-mother, Mrs. Nosa Okunbo.

Immediately after her reading, the Ex minister, Ibe Kachikwu, gave a Shakespearean-kind of tribute, by describing all as Cordelia, The moment he finished his tribute, the Lagos choristers sang a sorrowful hymn of ‘’Hallelujah’’ as the remains of late Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo left the hall for his interred.

If death is a language, it is not fidelity; but it is certainly, an irrevocable statement for all
human beings. It was this cherubic journey that made friends, families and business
associates to bid a farewell to Late ‘’Captiano ‘’ as families all went for the interred rite,
while friends and top government officials were seated inside the hall and they were served
with all kind of mouth-watering delicacies and drinks; even with a stellar performance from
the Vintage Band. Captain was buried in a grand style.

BIOGRAPHY
The Late Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo was born on the 7 th of January, 1958, into the family of the late respected community leader, teacher, disciplinarian and clergyman, Reverend Robert Amos Okunbo.

He attended Government Primary school, Benin City and Federal Government College
(Warri), where in 1975, he wrote and passed the West African School Certificate
Examination (WASCE) in flying colours.

In 1979, he graduated from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Training Centre (Zaria). He was just
21 years old at the time. He began his professional career with Aero Contractors Nigeria Ltd. He later joined an Intercontinental Airline, where he accumulated most of his flying
experience in jet time.

He thereafter proceeded on further training at the Acme School of
Aeronautic in Dallas (Texas, USA) in 1983, where he obtained his Airline Transport Pilot
license. The young Idahosa Okunbo was promoted in the same year to the position of Airline Captain, having accumulated a compulsory 4,500 flying hours to his credit at the age of 25years.

THANKSGIVING SERVICE
Living a life full of recognition is indeed one thing that distinguishes men from men. It was
actually this kind of enigmatic reception that occurred during the thanksgiving service in
honour of Late Captain Hosa Wells Okunbo.

The venue was decorated to a pleasing fancifulness and the compere was the multifaceted
artist, Dare Art Alade. It was well planned event for invited dignitaries to be seated accordingly.

Also, delicious delicacies and drinks were served to the guests; as the super-
talented artist, Laolu Gbenjo made the guest danced to his enlivening performance.
Sometime life comes to us with pain and leaves us with fanfare.

This was actually how guests felt at the thanksgiving party because they enjoyed themselves with other musical performance, from the Coco Baby crooner, Waje who is also an indigene of Edo state. Her performance was unavoidable; and she left the stage with a sterling look on the guests.

The love Captain Hosa Wells Okunbo had for entertainment during his life time was beyond
an ordinary talk. He had enthusiasm for young talent and this was why Davido, Fem crooner, also paid his respect by performing at the thanksgiving party.

It was the love the guests had for Late Captain Hosa Okunbo that made them to enjoy and
thank the lord of his glorious exist. As ‘’Capi’’ was buried in Benin City, the entire Benin
was still in shock for his sudden departure.

He lived an overwhelming life because he was known and reputed for having expressed and extended his benevolence and generosity to humanity. He was survived by his adorable wife, children and grandchildren.

Adieu, Capi!

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