Family members, friends and business associates of the late chairman of Ocean Marine Solutions Limited (OMSL), Capt. Idahosa Wells Okunbo, at the weekend, stormed Benin City, Edo State capital, to celebrate the life and times of late Mrs Helen Osazemwinde Okunbo as she was committed to mother earth amid eulogies.
The late Helen Okunbo was buried at her residence in the highbrow Government Reservation Area (GRA) in Benin City, witnessed by family members and close friends who had come to pay their final respect to the matriarch of the Okunbo family.
The service of songs and tributes night were held at the SIO Event Centre in Benin City as part of the four-day burial activities to celebrate the departed octogenarian, and had in attendance top dignities from far and near including children, grand-children, great-grandchildren and relatives who joined in the celebration of the life of Mama Hele Okunbo.
Notable among those who came at the service of songs included Governor Godwin Obaseki; his deputy, Phillip Shaibu; Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie, and other top political figures.
Others were Segun Awolowo; former MD of Shell, Osagie Okunbor; Senator Mathew Uroghide; Greg Uanseru; Chief Useni Elamah; Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; Hon. Razak Bello-Osagie; Hon. Chris Okaeben, and Hon. Osaro Obazee.
Among the grand children and others in attendance were the wife of Olu of Warri and first daughter of late Capt. Hosa Okunbo, Olori Atuwatse III of Warri Kingdom; Mr Osahon Okunbo, Nosa Okunbo, and thier siblings.
Some of the immediate children of the departed octogenarian are Dr Tinyan Okunbo, Deaconess Mrs Edith Onwuegbuzie, Mr Morrison Okunbo, Pastor Dandison Okunbo and Mr Bright Okunbo.
Dr Tinyan Okunbo, in a tribute to his late mother described her as loving, kind and the humblest human ever known to him, adding that she was a mother any child will pray to have.
“My mother was a great inspiration to others. She shared her life so willingly with others, the joy she brought us will never end and on resurrection day we will be together again,” Dr Tinyan.
On her part, Olori Atuwatse III described her late grandmother as the “oak tree that provided shade and warmth for family and stranger alike.
“We learnt the principle of the ages through your firm but loving instructions very early, grace, kindness, respect, humility, diligence, integrity and much more.
“Our irreplaceable Iye, you truly lived for others and will be greatly missed. With ounce of will, we promise to always celebrate the matriarchal legacy that you left behind and continue to share the beautiful lessons of life and dignity that you inculcated in us,” the Queen of Warri Kingdom state.
LEADERSHIP reports that Mrs Helen Okunbo passed on to glory on April 7, 2023.
