Adieu Capt. ‘Hosa, a friend of the poor who embraced Christ Jesus!, By Tony Erha

If tears could resurrect ‘departed’ loved ones, there would have been numerous people out there, especially the young and the poor, who would have gleefully volunteered vessels of the tears of their brows, to bring back to life, Idahosa Wells Okunbo, who passed to the great beyond, on September 8, 2021. The heartbreaking news of his demise came like a thunderbolt, thus galvanizing humanity in a miasma of melancholy and emotional disequilibrium.

Ironically, there isn’t the possibility of reviving him to his once brilliant human forms of flesh and blood, if only to assuage the excruciating pains of  loss encountered by his teeming admirers, some of who are still not consoled, but suicide-bent. However, there is a rejuvenated satiation that Okunbo, having been a proselyte and fervent follower of Christ Jesus, the son of God and mankind’s redemption from sins, was going to be reconnected someday, during the resurrection of the true believers in Jesus Christ. When those who ‘passed on’ shall live a life of eternity, where death shall no longer separate them.

Okunbo, the people’s idol, who was nicknamed Capt. Hosa, Cappi and Capitano etc., was a retired topflight commercial pilot, businessman, philanthropist extraordinaire and an irrefutable doer of the Lord’s ordinances, during his earthly sojourn. But, the multitudes of his aficionados and beneficiaries, particularly the poor and the young people continued to weep and grind the teeth, because Captain ‘Hosa, their livener, settled-symbol and igniter of hope, passed away in a United Kingdom’s hospital, from pancreatic cancer.

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And in a rare display of prevalent grief, empathy and commonality, seldom  associated with deaths in our clime, panegyric tears and agony have besieged all, propping out Captain Hosa’s significant earthly life of illumination, nobility, self-denial and immense contributions to humankind.

Inspiringly, ‘Idahosa’, an Edo name, meaning ‘Steadfast to God’s ordinance’, did lived up to the fullest meaning of his name, having been a prodigy of God’s creation and realism, amidst an iniquitous and peculiar world. His earthly sojourn popularly marked him out as an exemplary trailblazer, breadwinner, socialite, motivator, nationalist, Pan-Africanist and a global citizen etc.

Being a blood relation with whom Cappi had regularly hobnobbed until his ‘relocation’, this writer would be found inadequate, should he fail to share with the readership fewer self-sacrificing thoughts and moments about the departed nobleman.

After our part first crossed as innocent children, in our aboriginal community of Orhua, in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State, in the labyrinth of the senseless Biafra war, in 1967, it was a dramatic reunion with him in Lagos, in 2001 until his demise.

Even though he had very tight schedules, he would create times for us to socialize. Oftentimes, I went to him without prior appointments as he too instructed his aides to always give me a free access to him. He was such a time and promise-keeper, who never forgot little details. A refined person, he would exchange frequent banters. A rapt listener, an idealist and a shrewd mediator for better deals for others, one would have to put on the thinking cap, whilst engaging him in conversations. He was calm, cerebral, witty, persuasive and firmly built along the lines of benign cogitation and moralistic actions. A peace maker and liberated mind, he easily forgave those who wronged him and readily atoned with those he offended. When ‘Capitano’ spoke ten words to you, amongst them would be salvation, reconciliation, peace and Jesus Christ.

Sometimes I had wonder aloud, as to why he would freely hobnob with some persons known to persecute him. But, his usual dissuading answer to people was that “Forgiveness and caregiving are most divine and rewarding before God, our Creator”. Severally, Captain Hosa admonished me never to do retaliatory newspaper and other commentaries as rejoinders at those who falsely accused him. “If you quarrel with or fight those who offended you, tell me those that would be your friends at the end of the day?”, he would retort.

Also, once upon a time, in the morning hour, a telephone call came all the way from the United States of America, from Tinyan Okunbo, Captain Hosa’s eldest brother, my own relation. Tinyan, a notable medical doctor, whose voice is similar to that of Captain Hosa, put him (Capitano) on the conference call. Both brothers pleaded with me to immediately halt a public street protest that I and Mr. Nosa Peter Osifo, a lawyer and our blood relation, were organizing for that morning, to address the excesses of  a certain state-governor, who was a recipient of Captain Hosa’s generosity. When both brothers pleaded to us to halt the huge protest that had already prepared Orhua multitudes and the Edo civil society, my initial reply to both men before we later backed down, was that the protest action was a mere public expression, hence they shouldn’t stop it from holding. Chances were that Captain Hosa got the wind that we earlier rebuffed the overtures from the state’s security agencies to stop the procession, citing security threats. Being a man whose life is marked with rightful agitation for a better life for the society, I usually stuck to the gun on such matters of public interest.

Captain Hosa had been frequently described as a multi-billionaire business man, of sheer resourcefulness that is akin to the ‘Midas Touch’, a similitude to the Phrygian king of the Greek mythology, who turned all he touched into real money. But, Captain Hosa, despite his abundant riches, had a lifestyle of modesty, as indeed, he was so meek and unassuming.

“People say that I am very wealthy, but I consider that lesser than the smiles I could put on human faces”, Captain Hosa Okunbo often postulated and acted it out. He was an unconditional giver, who attracted the poor and the rich to himself, like the hairpins to the magnetic field. “As Captain Hosa is no more, I doubt if there are other Edo men, who could fit into his vast groove being a free giver”.  Reechoed one and many other speakers, who testified during the “Night of Tributes” ceremonies of his burial

Cheerful giving and mentoring of all, especially the young and the poor, was his second nature. I was one of those teeming beneficiaries of his large-heart. Usually he would do things for me without my asking. He continually told me to let him know whenever I was in need, which I really declined to do. I learnt a great deal from Capi’s nature for caregiving, I being a charitable doer. On the Boxing Day of 2020, even when he was on the sick bed in London, he, as usual called me on the phone.

“Rebel Journalist”, I can’t find your bank account. Could you, please, send it? I just have to support your usual free giving to others at Xmas and birthday celebrations. You are a good man”. When he immediately sent a huge sum, he simply called it a “Xmas Token!” I was moved to tears because that actually helped me to reach out to more of the needy persons. When I often carried out some media reports for him, he profusely thanked me and dole out money into my bank accounts or send me gifts through his aides. Whereas, these are services I would render ‘pro bono’ to many persons some of who wouldn’t give me even words of thanks. And for very little things I did for him, he would tell many friends of his and our common relations, how creative, courageous and selfless I was.

Captain Hosa was very concerned about making the right choice of people to political offices, as he was bi-partisan, supporting those who could go into public offices, to bring the needed development and take the people out of poverty. Not many knew that he delved into it more so that the needs of the people could be met. Even though I am only a democracy monitor and non-partisan, I was sold to his political inclination. One day, in 2020, he invited me to his residence at Wuse II, Abuja. As we discussed, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a governorship candidate in the state, came in. He addressed him straight away.

“I suppose you know that Tony Erha is my paternal cousin from Orhua, my hometown in Uhunmwode. You also know that he has a voice that is respected in Edo State. I had supported four governors in a roll, but none had helped to develop Orhua, my community. Tony Erha is here to also support you and bear me witness that you will have to save the Edo people and my community, should you be elected. I don’t need any patronage from government. I am contented with the wealth I have. I am usually pained about the poverty and underdevelopment amongst the Edo people, particularly the youth, women and the aged. You have to help them because there is nothing much I can always do”

Captain Hosa was a transparent veil. A captivating personality! Like the mortals we all are, he may have had his failings. Indeed, he was the morning dew; which soon vanished away by the boiling sun! Literarily speaking, his was a life intertwined in the euphemism of the sweet soup-pot that is only short-lived, where multitudes of people readily scramble for its enticing aroma and taste. And like “Elikiba”, the firewood that burns fiercely and is short-live in the fireplace!

‘Death’, the ‘be-all and end-all’, had accomplished its last wish, snatching the beloved Cappi, like it does to all born by a woman. For Death is a recompense for the iniquities that mortals had flowered into proportions! Captain Hosa is not dead, but only relocated to the Lord Jesus Christ, son of the Living God, who came to atone for the sins of the world. This is more so that Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo, alias Captain Hosa, Capitano and Capi, worked assiduously in the way of salvation and repentance. Adieu the Meek One!