Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and his counterparts in Lagos, Ogun and Kebbi graced the funeral of Captain Hosa Okunbo on Friday.
The governors Mr Obaseki, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dapo Abiodun and Abubakar Bagudu respectively paid tributes to Okunbo who was buried in Benin.
In his tribute, Obaseki described the deceased as a genius bridge builder, business tycoon and philanthropist extraordinaire.
According to him, Okunbo was “a man who was determined to surmount world challenges. He pushed himself to the limit to achieve greatness, building an impressive business empire and transforming the lives of numerous people, most of them of Edo origin.”
He added: “Late Captain Okunbo was a trained pilot who mastered the air early in life and set for the land and the maritime sector, prevailing in all spheres. Captain Okunbo was an embodiment of hard work, perseverance, dexterity and acumen, which espoused his Edo heritage.”
Obaseki also commented on the deceased’s philanthropism and business acumen.
Olori Ivie Atuwatse, wife of the Olu of Warri, Atuwatse III and first daughter of late Okunbo, described her late father as a man with many parts and purposes.
“My father was a great man. He lived in service to humanity. My father worked on purpose and in doing so, encouraged others to find their parts and purpose in life,” she said.
Okunbo died on August 8 in a London hospital after a battle with cancer.
