Personality in Focus
Idahosa Wells Okunbo: Highly Skilled Entrepreneur, Philanthropist
By Eric Elezuo
The mark of greatness lies in the ability to point at a direction, and say this is the number of lives I have touched, impacted and given a new lease of hope. However, it is only a handful of the men of means who qualify to be dressed in this garb, and the person of Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbor, popularly known as Hosa, is the first out of a few to be so classified.
Hosa’s philanthropy speaks loud and volumes, and has become a reference point in admonition and encouragement.
Born on January 7, 1958 in Benin City, Hosa, a business magnate, investor, philanthropist and trained commercial pilot of repute, is a proud product of the Reverend Robert Amos Okunbo family, who himself is a clergyman, teacher and community leader.
Okunbo started his path to a glorious career when he enrolled at the Government Primary School in Benin City, old Bendel State, now Edo State for his elementary education. He proceeded to Federal Government College, Warri, in 1971, where he sat for West African Senior School Certificate Examination, and came out in flying colours.
As a scholar who was not confused as regards the path he wishes to follow, made his choice early in life to become a pilot. As a result, he pursued his desire by studying at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Training Centre, Zaria, Kaduna State, and became a professional commercial pilot at the age of 21. He also attended ACME School of Aeronautics, Fort Worth Texas in 1983, where he obtained an Airline Transport Pilot License.
At the age of 25 in 1983, Okunbo was made a captain. He practiced his trade as a flight captain with Intercontinental Airlines for about two years, before moving over to Okada Airlines for where he served with honours for another three years.
In 1988 and at the age of 30, he retired from piloting having recorded over a whopping 7,000 hours of flight time, and ventured into private business, a calling that further launched him into the cycle of philanthropy.
With his hands in many pies, Okunbo established Hoslyn Ventures Nigeria Ltd., a company that was involved with procurement in the Nigerian petroleum sector. Hoslyn Ventures was an indigenous oilfield service company that was responsible for the Early Production Facility (EPF) project at Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) between 1998 and 2001.
More so, he had served in many capacities including chairmanship or directorial position on numerous company boards in Nigeria in various business sectors such as the agro-allied, petroleum, telecommunications, power, real estate and banking industries.
A man of diverse intelligence, who has investments in many businesses, Okunbo founded the following companies, which he also sits atop as chairman:
Wells San-Carlos Agro Farms Ltd., which, in March 2016, unveiled a $750 million, 9,000-hectare (22,000-acre) farm intended to “create 85,000 jobs in Edo State”.
Ocean Marine Security Ltd., an offshore asset-protection company, rendering services to major oil companies in Nigeria, including NNPC. Wikipedia reported that the company recently completed the building of the 46-kilometre (29 mi) Escravos–Warri Crude Pipeline, which was inaugurated by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu.
PPP Fluid Mechanics Ltd., a marine and logistics company
Westminster Security Solutions Nigeria Ltd, a franchise of Westminster Group Plc UK, of which he is major shareholder.
Wells Group of companies, which include Wells Dredging Ltd., Wells Property Development Company Ltd., and Wells Entertainments Ltd. – through which Okunbo financed the movie Black November.
OMS Tankers Ltd., which owns Nigeria’s first marine tankers.
Hoslyn Habitat Ltd., which is a design, construction and landscaping company.
Gyro Air Ltd., operators of charter flight operations.
Okunbo is a director in the following companies:
Joint Marine Environ Guard Ltd. (JMEG)
Secure Anchorage Area Ltd. (SAA)
Digisteel Integrated Services Ltd.
Phil Nugent Nigeria Ltd.
Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Ltd. (IEDM), which is a core investor in Ibadan and Yola Electricity Distribution Companies.
Okunbo is member of the Board of Directors of NatCom Development and Investment Ltd., which is the holding company Nigerian telecommunications giant NTEL.
In 2012, Okunbo received the Africa Titans Award from the Congress of the United States in collaboration with the African Society Summit, in recognition of “strides on behalf of Africa in the international arena.” He was honoured for being one of those “who seek to project a new and hopeful light on Africa.”
In November of the same year, the University of Benin conferred him with an honorary Doctor of Science degree.
He was granted the “Worthy Ambassador of Unity Award” as an old student of Federal Government College, Warri in March 2016.
On October 2, 2014, the Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa, gifted Okunbo “with the ‘Traditional Beads’ for being a worthy son of the ancient Kingdom.”
Hosa’s act of philanthropy is congenital as he is known to have expressed his benevolence to as many that has come his way. Testimonies have it that no one who comes in contact with him goes back without a smile on his face. He is known to be nice to a fault, and has seen quite a good number of his constituents through academics or profitable empowerment.
He is a very good man.
Okunbo is married and is blessed with numerous healthy and prolific children
Former Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has bagged the award of Pillar of Nigerian Culture and Tourism.
The award was conferred on him by the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET), the umbrella body for Nigerian travel press, on Thursday, October 23 at a colourful ceremony held at the prestigious Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Towers.
He was among some distinguished Nigerians from public and private sectors, including the former Nigerian Minister of Tourism and Culture, Ambassador Frank Ogbuewu, who were honoured for their contributions to the growth and development of Nigerian tourism.
Other distinguished Nigerians conferred with awards were: Otunba Wanle Akinboboye (Foremost National Tourism Builder and Creative Mind), Mr. Jemi Alade (National Trailblazer in Inbound Tour Operation) Engineer Tarzan Ganiyu Shekoni Balogun (National Icon in Tourist Boat Operations and Water Transportation), Mr. Nkereuwem Onung (Icon of Consistency and Resilience in National Tourism Leadership), and Chief Abimbola Bode-Thomas (Hospitality and Tourism Management Amazon).
Speaking on the award conferred on Runsewe and the other awardees, the President of ANJET Mr. Okorie Uguru said the awards aim to promote the culture of service to the people, and also showing appreciation to those who have served the nation with distinction while holding public office.
He said: “It is not about celebrating those who are serving the country now, but showing appreciation to those who have served in the past, to challenge current political office holders to put in their best.
“The individuals and distinguished Nigerians we are honouring are among the people that built the visibility and growth the tourism industry is enjoying today… They have contributed, and are still contributing to the sector.
“As holders of institutional memories and archivists of this industry, we know the roles they have played and are still playing in the development of the Nigerian tourism industry. That is why years after some of our awardees have left public offices, we still call them to bestow this honours.”
While receiving the award, Runsewe lamented the inability of Nigeria to take tourism seriously. He said: “I stopped talking for some time because there are too many talks in tourism, there is no action. We come; we speak big English and go back. Today, I am going to reveal two or three things. The last time I came out was to speak to the new executives of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN). For me, I am almost tired of talking, because there is no action.
“Let me first of all thank Ambassador Ogbuewu today. He said he does not want to come, so I urged him to come. It is only the living that can be celebrated. Let us thank God that during our lifetime, we are being celebrated. It is not everybody that has that opportunity.
“I can stand anywhere and talk about this industry. I do not need a book.
“Ambassador Ogbuewu you would recollect that President Obasanjo took your very good self, led a delegation to Trinidad and Tobago. That was the day Obasanjo made a statement, he said ‘I going to stand on the existing protocol’. That was the first time they heard that English. The then president of Trinidad asked, ‘what is he talking about.’ That is a tourism brand.
“People do not understand tourism yet. People think it is only about moving from one place to the other. No. Let me reveal a few things: how many of us know the late Pastor T.B. Joshua. T.B. Joshua was selling religious tourism and nobody keyed into it? When T. B. Joshua was having his conference in Nigeria, there were over 20 private jets parked at the airport. I, maybe you did not know before today, I normally go to the airport to list how many countries they come from. I have my data. There is religious tourism in Nigeria. We have not tapped into it. We see them as pastors. Yes, pastors doing their job, but there is tourism content in what they are doing.
“If this country manages tourism well, we should not have a single child looking for a job. After agriculture, tourism is the biggest employer of labour, but we are still playing games, we are still telling ourselves stories.”
He thanked ANJET for the award and encouraged them to continue with the good work in the industry.
Personality in Focus
NAOSNP Security Week: Gaidam Reiterates Govt’s Commitment to Data-Driven Policing
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning the Nigeria Police Force through data-driven strategies, inter-agency synergy, and international cooperation towards building a safer, stronger Nigeria.
He stated this during the 2025 National Security Conference and Awards organised by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), with the theme, Securing and Safeguarding Nigeria’s Economic Resources: A Call to Serve, held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
In his keynote address presented by the Deputy Director (Information and Public Relations Unit), Mr. Bolaji Oladimeji Kazeem, the Minister stated that the Federal Government, through the Ministry, has started realizing key initiatives such as the National Criminal Data Fusion Centre (NCDFC), Nigeria Police Crime and Incident Database, Community Policing, transparent recruitment of an additional 30,000 Police Officers, and technological advancements to enhance the operational efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force for bolstering national security.
The Minister said as a major milestone in intelligence-led policing, the National Criminal Data Fusion Centre (NCDFC), provides a centralized platform for law enforcement agencies to pool, analyse, and disseminate criminal data, thereby enhancing internal operations and collaboration with international partners.
He noted that the upgraded Nigeria Police Crime and Incident Database Centre (NPCIDB) has enabled the Police to document criminals’ data through biometrics from Divisional Police Stations across the country, and digitally forwarded to the NPCIDB located in the National Criminal Data Fusion Centre.
He reiterated the good working relationship among security agencies to curb illegal mining, through collaboration of the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)’s Mining Marshals.
“Security is the foundation upon which all human endeavours are built. It requires inclusiveness, people-centric approaches, and collective efforts to ensure peace, safety, and prosperity. These vital institutional allies are in the national effort to combat illegal mining and restore order in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, and curb the activities of bandits, criminals, kidnappers, and terrorists,” the Minister hinted.
Gaidam urged all citizens, stakeholders, and media to join hands in supporting the Nigeria Police Force. “We require collective investment in technology, logistics, welfare, and equipment to enhance security. I propose that we procure High-Resolution Drone Surveillance for police commands across the country”. He stressed.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence, General Christopher Musa, represented by the Commandant, Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Air Vice Marshal Bashir Rimi Maman, posited that security is the foundation for economic success. When people feel safe, businesses grow, farmers plant with confidence, and investors take bold steps.
He said Nigeria recently increased its crude oil production to over 1.5 million barrels per day, but vandalism and illegal activities still threaten this progress.
“We must therefore protect what we have built so that our natural wealth becomes prosperity for every Nigerian, not just a few,” the CDS cautioned.
According to him, “beyond military action, we must focus more on the non-kinetic side of national security, which accounts for nearly 70 percent of the work. This includes good governance, infrastructure, power, communication, and social development.”
Senator Ibrahim Gaidam was afterwards honoured with the award of Excellence as the National Association of Online News Publishers (NAOSNP) Iconic Man of the Year.
TMnews, at its 2025 Summit and Awards, has honoured the Chairman and Group Managing Director of Adron Group, Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing, with a prestigious Award of Recognition for his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to empowering Nigerians through affordable housing and community development.
The event, themed “Securing the Future: A Collaborative Approach to Community Safety,” brought together top government officials, security chiefs, corporate leaders, and humanitarian advocates to engage in constructive dialogue on national security, community partnership, and sustainable development.
In his message of appreciation, Aare EmmanuelKing expressed heartfelt gratitude to TMnews Magazine for the recognition, describing it as a humbling honour that reinforces his commitment to nation-building through affordable housing, community empowerment, and corporate social responsibility.
“I am deeply honoured by this recognition from TMnews. It is a testament to the collective effort of the Adron Group family, whose passion and dedication continue to drive our mission of making quality housing accessible to all Nigerians. This award is not just for me, it is for every hardworking Nigerian who believes in the dream of a better, safer, and more prosperous nation,” Aare EmmanuelKing stated.
He further commended the organisers of the summit for their consistency in promoting dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders in governance, business, and community development, adding that such platforms are essential to building a secure and progressive society.
The Publisher and CEO of TMnews Magazine, Temidayo Babalola, lauded Aare EmmanuelKing for his visionary leadership and transformative role in Nigeria’s real estate sector, describing him as a beacon of innovation and a passionate advocate for sustainable community growth.
The summit also featured the TMnews Humanitarian Awards, where 24 distinguished individuals and organisations were celebrated for their exceptional service to humanity, corporate responsibility, and community impact.
