A chilling canopy of saudade feelings have continued to spread across Edo State and beyond. It easily passes as moments of epiphany compelling a realization of the extent of our collective loss as a people.
Simultaneously, a heart wrenching bittersweet surge of emotions alongside a mix of mournful lullabies immersed the ancient land of Igodomigodo! From Edo to Udo, from the land of Erua where the great Ovonranmwen found refuge to the sacred lands of Ovator of Igieduma, Okhuahe of Okhuahe, unto the land of Olokun in Urhonigbe closely dovetailing into the larger Ugo, the land of Ebomisi, to Ugboko, the home of Ekaba spirit, all of which are the great ancestral deities of Edo land comprising of Ogbe and Ore’ Nokhua, the announcement quaked our world and it temporarily came to a standstill, as soon the family caused a terse statement to be released confirming that the spirit of the great business magnate and a nonesuch philanthropist, Captain (Dr.) Idahosa Wells Okunbo had taken to the sky.
Amidst the reeling of anguish, the announcement that Captain Hosa Okunbo will be buried in Benin City and the opportunity it would afford the populace to pay their last respect to him, brought a tinge of warmth that the cold drizzle and the seeming inclement weather, in the twilight of that day could not dampen.
From that day till date, the people have not ceased to mourn while waiting with baited breath for him to be victoriously welcomed home.
He fought wars of different hues and complexions and conquered all, but succumbed to the hydra headed war against humanity – the ravaging onslaught of illness. The best of brains and efforts in technology and medical science has so far been humbled by destructive growths pining away the best of man and demystifying man’s overrated capabilities. But the people with their overflowing love are resolved to shame death by their ululation, their celebrations, their testimonies and tributes and to stand up against death in thunderous chorus; death, where is thy sting?
This announcement was so auspicious that, it was all that was needed to prove public expression of grief, that the written and spoken tributes about the greatness and elegance of his character were absolute words of truth that freely emanated from the hearts of the people. For a while it seemed that the tributes and condolences were the usual rituals that the bereaved were accustomed. Rather, it was an emphatic endorsement of the hagiographical credentials of Cappi and his ultimate canonization by the people.
He truly carved his name in hearts and not tombstones. A deeper investigation revealed that his greatness was a product of inner purity of heart. His life was underpinned and guided by the philosophy which was rooted in nature. Nature was designed by God to provide guidance on how man should live. Take a look around and see how created things deliver free services to man and his environment amidst the cheering of gracefully waving banners. The lesson in God’s creation, often overlooked, is huge. It teaches that we are created to live for each other and not merely for ourselves! Most significantly, this is in sync with the traditional practice of Ubuntu in parts of South Africa. Ubuntu means ‘I am because you are or I am nothing without you’. In essence a person is a person through other
