Capt. Hosa: More tributes on his postmortem 64th birthday! By Tony Erha

“The master-blacksmith is alive when dead and his provenances remain etched in gold and human memory.” An Edo proverb.

But for his painful exit to eternity, several months ago, his 64th birthday on 7th January, 2022 might have been elaborately marked, with him around “in flesh and blood!” For there had been moments when his previous birthdays had been harmonized with his unconditional gifting, loving, homilies, pageants and thanksgivings to God Almighty, thru the name of Christ Jesus, the Saviour of mankind, to whom he had professed, in his earthly existence of easy disposition to God and humankind, that are still worthy of emulation by the living humans.

Months after his demise and on his on his 64th posthumous birthday, in particular, there came torrents of tributes proclaiming his eventful earthly existence, as had never been the case in his lifetime. Of the varied and avalanche of candid tributes rained on him during his burial, Capt. Hosa, a departed hero of the people, is always remembered and treasured at different times and by the multitudes whose lives he positively impacted.

In the last Christmas and the New Year yuletides, Barrister Ken Imasuagbon, a notable political activist and philanthropist, painfully rued his absence and unconditional caregiving acts, praying that Edo, his state, deserves to have another and more of Capt. Hosa, to give philanthropy what Capt. Hosa had made it to be. Imasuagbon, who is nicknamed Rice Man, for his annual giving of rice bags and other items to the poor, was also seconded by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a former governorship candidate in Edo elections. In a widespread news item, Pastor Ize-Iyamu thus wailed about the absence of Capt. Hosa in his usual free-giving to the poor during Christmas; “A Christmas Without Captain”

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Earlier on, shortly after his fervent and memorable burial, it is, however, worthy of mention that a revered His Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, had had to shelve a consecrated twin event, usually held in circumspect by the Benin kingdom, in honour of Capt. Hosa, who was a valuable helper and son of the kingdom, and a loyal servant of the monarch.

Capt. Hosa Okunbo (Capi or Capitano for short), as he was fondly called in the social spheres, was a perfect exemplar of a caregiver and humanist, whose great contribution to society and individuals, had made him a shoulder and head taller than most men and women of his Nigeria country and Edo State’s origin, who are also known for humanitarian, patriotic and Godly deeds.

Born and named Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo on 7th January, 1958, to a reverend gentleman and educationist from Orhua community in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria, Capt. Hosa, was an accomplished commercial pilot before retiring into business which he soon turned around to be diverse, big-time and of humongous accruals, which he consciously deplored to the betterment of his society, particularly for defenceless women and children, young people and the needy.

Capt. Hosa, himself, a personality who was not easily-given to much words but, very articulate and convincingly erudite in the little he said, had an enriching maxim that could best define his realm of unusual philanthropy and selfless living. “I hear what most people say that I am a multi-billionaire. But, this is second to my heart desire to leave a smile on the faces of the people, as long as God would permit me to do”.

In his native Nigeria and many other countries, where his businesses thrive and is widespread like the Octopus, Capt. Hosa was well known for hard work, creativity and a natural ability to turn things into wealth, so much so that he is variously described as one who possessed the ‘Midas Touch’, an allusion to the famous Phrygian king of the Greek mythology, who could turn anything he touched into gold. In the similitude of this age-long myth, there were numerous admirers of Capt. Hosa who, because of his industrious nature, vast investment and material affluence, tagged him as “having conquered the air, the sea and the land”.

Fortunately, Capt. Hosa, a self-controlled person and biological son to a clergy and disciplinarian of a father, was ‘down to earth, humble and filled with agape love for others. Because of his easy disposition, the highly and the lowly people were attracted to him like the hairpins and blades are to the magnet. Indeed, Capt. Hosa had no airs around him and was thus an unassuming man, who was not a ‘money-miss-road’, a belittling expression for men and women, who because they are wealthy, get easily disposed to ill-conducts and push people around.

For Capt. Hosa, who was widely referred to as a ‘king of hearts’, because of his affable kindness, generosity and love towards others, he regarded “wisdom and the love of God and mankind” as superior to silver and gold.

On several occasions when this writer would visit him, the usual sermon by Capi was giving to God and mankind. He would hold on to the Bible and some Christian literatures, from which he gleefully read. Once he drew attention of this writer some portions of a book he quoted in heart from. Titled “The Midas Touch: A Balanced Approach to Biblical Prosperity”, it was a great work by Kenneth E. Hagin, the late American Bible preacher and exponent of the Word of Faith global movement. The book dissects the puzzles and prescribed conducts of Christians, in their relationship with money or prosperity, and the ideal ways Christians should think, talk and act when in money and material possessions.

All along, Capt. had been Christ-like, he being a free-giver, one who knew the milk of human kindness and a penitent heart who also easily forgave others. Particularly, he fully embraced the Lord Jesus Christ and did His ordinances. He led a life ruled by these passions.

With the news of his demise and plans for his a weeklong burial being put in place, those who mocked and envisaged hitches about the funeral, must have later swallowed their tongues. Behold, the burial turned successful- most peaceful and well-organized, as compared to the usual burial of wealthy kingpins in the Nigeria’s clime! Initially, many thought that the same would apply to the Capt. Hosa’s burial as his enormous wealth was there handy to dictate and spark off rifts amongst his children, brothers and the Okunbo’s lineage. But, all that the world witnessed was a Capt. Hosa, though heavily affluence had dutifully impacted moral and disciplines in his children. All through the burial, the world was also stunned by a closely-knitted and love-sharing family of Idahosa Okunbo, with his brothers, who were also thoroughly groomed by their clergy-father, giving him such a befitting burial.

But, for all the multitudes who so well knew Captain (Dr.) Idahosa Wells Okunbo JP, Christmas might have been one of his highlights or seasons of free giving to all, but his was every day’s free giving. And it is often said that after meeting Capt. Hosa, who actually opened his door wide to all, the needy is not bound to remain the same. As he was a personality, tuned to God Almighty, the proclaimer of Christmas and Easter celebrations, Igue, a globally-acclaimed festival of Benin, which coincides with both yuletides was also believed to be a highlight.

For a man who had been honoured around the world, even in death, for his immense contributions to society, it is evident that Capt. Hosa had been bestowed with exclusive global and local awards, too many to mention. Only recently, late last year 2021, the New Telegraph newspaper, bestowed him with a posthumous of a “Quintessential Philanthropist”

A vivacious and far-foresighted Capt. Hosa! Having created a gigantic financial empire, he saw that a generation of genuine and public-spirited men and women is all that is needed to continue to guarantee the worthy legacy he had established, where generation transfer of wealth and knowledge is problematic. Hearing out and seeing the conduct of his biological children, especially during his burial, showed tangible and painstaking investment in their education, moral and exposures. Whilst Osahon, his eldest son takes after his father’s hard work, diligence and free human essence, Capt. Hosa’s first daughter, Her Majesty, the Olori Atuwatse III, Wife of the Olu of Warri, HRM Atuwtse III, does not only radiates the same impeccable training, but also her father’s soft spot for philanthropy. Only a month ago, the Olori Atuwatse III “Wuwu Ore”, a free healthcare initiative for the poor in Delta State.

For a personality who did such great things for society and the people and furthered it by grooming the young ones to take after him, is not after all, dead, but is alive. And there is no hesitation concurring with the moving lyrics of the Capt. Hosa’s memorial song- “Hosa never dies”!