A federal government representative at the 2019 Africa cup of Nations in Egypt, Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo, now late, is to be immortalized at his alma matter, the Federal Government College, Warri as his family have completed plans to install solar powered lights in the school in his loving memory.
Olori Atuwatse III, the wife of the Olu of Warri Kingdom and the first child of Captain Hosa while speaking at the Solar Lighting Project Commissioning by the Benin-City branch of Federal Government College Warri Old Student Association (FEGOCOWOSA) in honour of the late business mogul and philanthropist, pledged on behalf of the family to complete the Solar Power Project started by her father before his untimely death in August 2021.
“Today marks a huge milestone for this great institution and for my family. It is a day of joy as we launch the solar lighting system of this foremost institution in honour of my late father, Captain Idahosa Okunbo”.
“Light both literally and figuratively, is an essential need of mankind. No one rejects light. Instead, we all crave for it and seek it for the direction, clarity, safety, and warmth it brings. According to Allan bloom, ‘Education is the movement from darkness to light”.
“Till his passing, my dear father proposed in his heart to provide a befitting lighting system for the school. As all will fondly recall, my father was a great advocate for education, he will always say, the only thing I owe any child is a good education, anything after that is jara”, the Olori quipped before making the pledge to provide the funds needed in completing the Solar Power Project.
A visibly elated Benin City branch chairman of the alumni association (FEGOCOWOSA)
Mr Andrew Amadasun, thanked the Okunbo family and children of the late philanthropist for their interest in sustaining the legacies left behind by their father.
“We thought the way to help the students would be to provide them with the Solar Lighting System which was a Project conceived by our grand patron himself before his passing. We have so far installed 35 panels and our plan is to install 200 in total. You were inside the hall when the Olori declared that the family will provide the remaining funds to complete the project. That is a gesture I cannot thank the family enough about”, the Chairman declared.
A foremost former Chief Judge of Edo state, Hon. Justice Esther Amenaghawon Edigin (rtd) just before declaring the epoch making event closed, requested for a minute silence for the departed old boy of the school, Captain Idahosa Okunbo before joining the Olori and other eminent old students like Rev (Mrs) Angie Usifo, Prince Akpobome Ejinyere, Osazee Peter Uwa-Obaizamomwan, members of the executives of FEGOCOWOSA, the school authorities and parents in ringing the school bell and singing the school air, all in honour of the deceased.
Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo died of cancer in a London hospital on 8th August 2021, two years after he was picked by President Muhammadu Buhari alongside President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha,
Governors Ifeanyi Okowa and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Delta and Lagos respectively and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele as part of the Federal Government delegation to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Egypt where Nigeria finished in 3rd place.
