Edo-born billionaire businessman, Capt. Idahosa Okunbo is dead. He died after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer in London.
Okunbo, a professional pilot and philanthropist, died last night, 12 months after doctors said he had nine months to live. He was aged 63.
Some of his associates, who spoke in confidence, said he died on Saturday while some eminent personalities in Benin indicated he died on Sunday morning.
The business magnate’s son-in-law is Olu of Warri-designate, Prince Tsola Emiko, who is married to Okunbo’s daughter, Ivie.
The entrepreneur, who graduated at 21 from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Training Centre, Zaria as a professional commercial pilot, was made a captain in 1983 at 25.
He retired five years later.
As a commercial pilot, Okunbo worked for Intercontinental Airlines and Okada Airlines.
He established Hoslyn Ventures Limited, a company that focused on procurement in the oil and gas sector.
Owing to restiveness in the Niger Delta, Okunbo set up Ocean Marine Security Limited, a pioneer marine security company, which is responsible for offshore asset protection for major oil companies in Nigeria.
He ventured into agriculture, through the establishment of Wells Farm Limited, thereby investing millions of dollars in green house farming and agro-allied business in Edo state.
The business mogul, who was happily married with children, was also into construction, property and real estate development, security solutions, landscaping and charter flight operations, among others.
The philanthropist was conferred with an honorary Doctoral Degree by the University of Benin (UNIBEN) for his contributions and benevolence to humanity as well as his achievements as an entrepreneur.
