Pomp as quintessential Hosa Okunbo turns 57
The time has come again to celebrate the quintessence of humanity in Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo (aka Captain Hosa) as he attains age 57 this month. Born on January 7, 1958, Captain Hosa’s birthday has always provided an opportunity for family members, friends and political associates to get involved in the annual ritual of clinking the good wine glasses in toast for longevity and wishing the titanic business investor and unassuming political leader well as he begins another year’s journey in life.
As a business titan, he has broken the glass ceilings by his accomplishments in many areas of business into which he ventured. His foray into business in 1988 saw him establish Hoslyn Ventures Nigeria Limited, a company that was into procurement in the Oil and Gas sector. He is, today, chairman of Ocean Marine Security Limited, a company responsible for offshore asset protection for major oil companies in Nigeria, including the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); and PPP Fluid Mechanics Limited, a crude oil logistics company.
A major shareholder in Westminster Group Plc, United Kingdom, and chairman of Westminster Security Solutions Limited, a franchise of Westminster Group Plc UK, Captain Hosa also chairs Wells Dredging Limited, involved in dredging, sand filling and shore protection in the Niger Delta region, as well as Wells Habitat Limited, a company partnering the Abuja Environmental Protection Agency in the area of waste management.
Hoslyn Habitat Limited, a foremost Design, Construction and Landscaping company, and Wells Property Development Company Limited, involved in the development of affordable properties for low-income earners, high net-worth individuals and office development, are both thriving under his chairmanship.
He is Director in Global Scan Systems Limited, a company responsible for the destination inspection of cargoes at the ports; Phil Nugent Nigeria Limited, involved in gas processing; and, Oil Offshore Combination; he is also a director of Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited for the Ibadan and Yola Power Distribution Companies (Discos) among many other viable companies operating in Nigeria and abroad.
Yet with these massive portfolios of viable investments and companies, running into billions of naira, Captain Hosa is not conceited. He moves about without putting on airs; he is as inscrutable as he comes. He has chosen to wear the attire of simplicity, which is, perhaps, a product of his humble upbringing, made possible by the discipline of a clergy father, teacher and community leader, the late Reverend Robert Amos Okunbo.
Indeed, it is the humility together with other outstanding qualities of this cosmopolitan businessman and perceptive politician that I have taken time to celebrate as he turns 57.
His life is a study in resilience. He has remained steadfast all through the years, especially in the beginning that was not a bed of roses. Indeed, with a “can-do” spirit, he began a career in the aviation industry as a commercial pilot. That was after his education at Government Primary School, Benin City, from where he proceeded to the Federal Government College, Warri, in 1971, where he sat for his West African School Certificate Examination and passed in flying colours in 1975.
He attended the Nigerian Civil Aviation Training Centre (NCATC), Zaria, where he graduated as a professional Commercial Pilot in 1979 at the age of 21, consequent upon which he started his professional career as a co-pilot with Aero Contractors Limited, which sponsored him to NCATC. He attended ACME School of Aeronautics, Fort Worth Texas in 1983 where he obtained his Airline Transport Pilot Licence and was made a Captain in the same year at the age of 25. He flew as Captain with the Intercontinental Airlines and, in 1985, joined the services of Okada Airlines from where he retired in 1988 at the age of 30, having logged over 7,000 hours in flying time most of which were jet time.
He has deployed his resources to build a loyal followership in the politics of his Edo South Senatorial District. He has continued to play the role of a reliable principal. He has loyalists across the two political parties-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC). For his steadfastness and capacity to galvanise financial resources for the activities of the party, he has emerged as the PDP leader in the southern district of the state.
It is important to point out that he also touches people’s lives even outside the sphere of politics. He is a philanthropist whose large-heartedness and passion for charitable works have brought succor and empowerment to a vast majority of people in his South Senatorial District, particularly Benin. Captain Hosa is a jolly good fellow who is man-caring.
For his outstanding contributions to the promotion of peace and good governance as well as development of his constituency, he was in 2007 honoured with the Justice of the Peace (JP). In 2012, the American Congress, for instance, honoured him with the “African Titan” Award for being a voice of the Niger Delta people through a movie which he single-handed sponsored, titled: “Black November”. The University of Benin has also conferred on him a Doctor Degree in Business Administration (Honoris Causa). Not too long ago, the Oba of Benin recognised and decorated him as a worthy ambassador of the ancient kingdom, preparatory to a chieftaincy title which will come in no time. It is not in doubt that with the way he is touching lives and impacting his people and community positively, he will get more feathers in his cap. As Captain Hosa clocks 57, I can only say let the compassion continue to flow to your people and to mankind. I wish you a Happy Birthday!
Mr. Ojeifo, a journalist, sent this tribute from Abuja.
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