By Sodeinde Temidayo David

Notable Nigerians, including President Muhammadu Buhari, have commiserated with the family of Mr Idahosa Okunbo, the chairman of Ocean Marine Solutions Limited, who passed on on August 8 at the age of 63 after months of a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer at a London hospital.

Mr Okunbo was a Nigerian business magnate, investor, philanthropist and trained commercial pilot.

His family, in an official announcement of his death, was proud that the late Okunbo lived a good life and would therefore not mourn like the downhearted.

Also, in the statement from the family, signed by the head of the Okunbo family, Mr Tinyan Okunbo, and made available by the deceased’s Media Consultant, Mr Samuel Ajayi, thanked God for a life of service and dedication to humanity that the late businessman lived.

“We do not mourn like those that have no hope and we take solace in the fact that he lived a good life and he has gone to be with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” a part of the statement said.

While thanking everyone for their prayers and support all through this trying period, the family craved the understanding of all and sundry at these trying times and would want the immediate family to grieve in private, adding that further announcement will be made at a later date.

Being an influential figure, an entrepreneur and investor in Nigeria oil and gas and other related sectors, President Buhari, Governor Godwin Obaseki and former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, have sympathized with the family of Mr Okunbo and the people of Edo over the passing of their son, saying his exit was both painful and untimely.

President Buhari, in a release issued Sunday by his Media Adviser, Mr Femi Adesina, empathised with the family, friends and associates of Mr Okunbo, noting that the deceased, with investments spanning the petroleum, telecommunications, maritime, and power sectors, among others, contributed immensely to the development of the Nigerian economy, providing sustenance to many families in the process.

While praying for the rest of the soul of Mr Okunbo, Mr Buhari urged those who mourn him, particularly the people of Edo State, to whom he devoted time and resources, to sustain his legacies of well-spiritedness and large-heartedness.

Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said in his statement on Sunday, stated that the state had lost a brother.

“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.

“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.

“A trained pilot, he conquered the air at an early age and set for the waters and land, building enterprises that distinguished him in the business world and embodied the hard work, perseverance, dexterity and acumen that espoused his Edo heritage.

“Okunbo was a philanthropist, who gave lavishly of himself and his resources; thousands of Edo sons and daughters benefited from his charitable works and benevolence.

“As a mortal, Captain Okunbo was not a perfect person just as none of us can claim to be, but he will be remembered for his undying love for Edo people.

“His desire for the development and progress of our dear state, the Niger Delta region and Nigeria as well as his invaluable contributions to building bridges of peace across the country will never be forgotten.

“I commiserate with the Okunbo family, friends and associates of our departed brother and pray that God will grant all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.

Mr Obaseki predecessor, Mr Oshiomhole, a former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), described the death of Mr Okunbo as an irreparable loss to humanity.

“I received Sunday morning, the unanticipated news that my friend, Mr Hosa Okunbo has passed on.

“I am in disbelief, shock and deep pain, to say the least. It is just too hard to come to terms with the reality that Capi is no more and words alone cannot appropriately capture the dark mood cast upon our land this day,” Mr Oshiomhole said.

Also, he noted that Mr Okunbo was not just a good friend, but a brother and an exceptionally dependable ally in all his efforts for a better Edo State and truly loved Edo State and wished only the best for his people.

Likewise, the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr Clem Agba, mourned Mr Okunbo, saying, “His death has created a huge vacuum that will be difficult to fill.”

Similarly, the president of the Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA), Mr Osahon Enabulele, described Mr Okunbo’s death as a tragic development.

“This explains why the death of our loved ones, as painful as it is, provides yet another opportunity for one to consciously reflect, refocus, and rededicate ourselves to cherished cardinal and theological virtues, and the upliftment of our common humanity.

“As you may already know, our combined efforts across Nigeria are focused on increasing cooperation on maritime and border security, the law of armed conflict and military justice, counterterrorism efforts against Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa, defence trade, and strengthening governance and transparency of the security sector.”