A Life of Legacy, Wisdom and Love – Capt. Hosa Okunbo -By Tony Agbonasevbaefe

It is often said that life is in phases, but men are in sizes. This axiom defines the extraordinary life and times on planet Earth by a great son of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria and Africa, the quintessential large-hearted entrepreneur and polymath, Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo of blessed memory. Born in Benin City on 7th January 1958 to the family of Hon. Evangelist Robert Amos Okunbo, a teacher and community leader and Madam Helen Osazemwinde Okunbo, also a teacher. 

At a very young age, he showed so much promise, mettle and was primed for greatness. It was therefore no surprise when, at the age of 21, he became an airline pilot. At age 25, he became a Captain. After stints with Intercontinental Airlines and Okada Airlines, Capi retired in 1988 at the `ripe old age` of 30, having logged over 7,000 hours of flight time. He had conquered the skies!

Capt. Hosa then established Hoslyn Ventures Nigeria Ltd., a company that was involved with procurement in the Nigerian petroleum sector. He later founded the following companies: CMES-OMS Petroleum Development Company (CPDC), which, in September 2019, signed $875.75m alternative financing deal for the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) operated OML 65. The Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments, Abuja. Wells San-Carlos Agro Farms Ltd., which, in March 2016, unveiled a $750 million, 9,000-hectare (22,000-acre) farm intended to create 85,000 jobs in Edo State.

He went on to found Ocean Marine Security Ltd., an offshore asset-protection company, rendering services to major oil companies in Nigeria, including NNPC. The company completed the building of the 46-kilometre (29 miles) Escravos – Warri Crude Pipeline, which was inaugurated by then Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu. Capi also founded Westminster Security Solutions Nigeria Ltd, a franchise of Westminster Group Plc UK, of which he was a major shareholder.

Other companies from his stable are Wells Group of companies, which include Wells Dredging Ltd., Wells Property Development Company Ltd., and Wells Entertainments Ltd., which produced the movie Black November. He also conceived Ocean Marine Solutions Tankers Ltd., which owns Nigeria’s first marine tankers, Hoslyn Habitat Ltd., which is a design, construction and landscaping company. Gyro Air Ltd., operators of charter flights. This time, he conquered both land, sea and sky. 

A multi-billionaire business magnate, investor, and philanthropist, Capt. Hosa served as Chairman and Director on numerous company boards in Nigeria, across multiple business sectors such as the agro-allied, petroleum, telecommunications, power, real estate, and banking. He was a director in the following companies: Joint Marine Environ Guard Ltd. (JMEG), Secure Anchorage Area Ltd. (SAA), Digisteel Integrated Services Ltd., Phil Nugent Nigeria Ltd., Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Ltd. (IEDM), which is a core investor in Ibadan and Yola Electricity Distribution Companies. What a colossus! 

Capt. Hosa was the typical Patriarch and Rock. A proper family man and community leader.  He was a man of his times, weathering storms, celebrating triumphs, and shaping generations with his quiet strength. He was a calm listener, with a steady heartbeat of wisdom, humour, and kindness. He filled the house with warmth and shared tales of history and adventure with intention and joy. His 63 years on this terrestrial were a gift to all who knew him and mankind. He was a masterclass in resilience and enthusiasm.  

Captain Hosa stood out as a man who had great value for his words and integrity. For him, a man`s word was his bond.  He was always very quick to forgive, and even when he wronged you, he was quick to acknowledge and make amends. He shared part of himself with anyone who crossed his path.  Captain Hosa had a weakness for anyone not being able to pay school fees. He paid for countless numbers. He lived a sacrificial life and gave more than what he got. He always believed in giving without the other hand knowing. 

As we celebrate Captain Hosa`s 68th posthumous birthday, I say to his biological children that Epa left behind a constellation of love and showered the same on his siblings, extended family members, friends, associates, community and even strangers whose lives he touched. His life story will linger on. His lessons will echo in eternity, and his smile will light on like a torch. Capi actually lived more years than most people dare to dream. He loved harder than anyone most of us have known. It is with hearts full of love and memories that we honour the extraordinary life of a man – a generational gift who lived life to the fullest, filled with laughter and boundless love. 

Captain Hosa Wells Okunbo, rest on in Zion. You have laid down the baton. We have taken up the mantle to carry forward your spirit and the warmth you shared so freely. So long, sir.  We miss you fiercely, but we will celebrate you always, recalling every memory and every tender thread you spun into countless lives. Keep Resting In Power For Your Legacy Lives On…

Tony Agbonasevbaefe blogs at www.twin2.org