Obaseki Reacts To Death Of Billionaire Businessman, Hosa Okunbo
Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, is mourning the death of Idahosa Okunbo, a billionaire businessman who died in a London hospital.
Mr. Okunbo, a native of Edo, was the chairman of the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Abuja, as well as Ocean Marine Services Limited.
According to Linda Ikeji Blog, he was 63 years old.
Mr Okunbo had been having treatment for pancreatic cancer from last October till his death, according to the site.
Rumours about his death circulated on news sites and social media in January, but his family issued a statement denying the rumors.
“It is with a heavy heart that I mourn the passing of a great son of Edo State, a brother, a distinguished Nigerian, an illustrious businessman and an accomplished philanthropist, Captain Hosa Okunbo,” Mr Obaseki said in a statement sent to Peoples Gazette by his spokesman Crusoe Osagie on Sunday.
“A man of unparalleled energy and accomplishments, Captain Okunbo saw opportunities in adversity and from an early age in life, carved a niche for himself to become one of Nigeria’s most outstanding businessmen.”
The Edo governor stated that while the late Okunbo was not faultless, as are all humans, he had an unwavering affection for the Edo people.
Mr. Obaseki praised Mr. Okunbo’s benevolence while expressing his condolences to the deceased’s family and associates.
In his twenties, Mr Okunbo worked as a commercial pilot. After graduating the ACME School of Aeronautics in Fort Worth, Texas in 1983, he became a professional commercial pilot at the age of 21.
After graduating, Mr Okunbo worked as a professional commercial pilot, rising to the rank of captain in 1983, when he was 25 years old. He flew for three years with Okada Airlines after two years as a flight captain with Intercontinental Airlines.
Mr Okunbo was the chairman of the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Abuja, as well as the Wells San-Carlos Agro Farms Ltd, Ocean Marine Security Ltd, and the Wells Group of Companies.
