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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 7, 2017
MILESTONE
Captain ‘Hosa: Consistent, Persistent @ 59 Sufuyan Ojeifo
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oday, Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo, fondly called Captain ‘Hosa, is being celebrated as he turns 59. Born on January 7, 1958, to the family of the late Reverend Robert Amos Okunbo, Captain ‘Hosa’s birthday always provides an opportunity for family members and friends to give their goodwill messages and best wishes to the investor who has positively touched many lives. As he does not announce his acts of benevolence and philanthropy to humanity, only those who have benefitted from his generosity would attest to his humility in giving. A man with a heart of gold, Captain ‘Hosa is not conceited in his world outlook. To him, such barriers as social segregation and economic subjugation are anathema. He moves about without an air of superiority; he is easygoing and always ready to assist. His garb of simplicity is partly a product of his humble and disciplined upbringing. He is, also, perhaps, well advised by Chinua Achebe’s lines in “Things Fall Apart” that those whose palm kernel has been cracked for them by the benevolent spirit should learn to be humble. In taking up the gauntlet of independence from the outset of his business ventures, the combination of discipline, hard work, purpose and providence has contributed to his success. When he turned 30, Captain ‘Hosa retired from paid employment as an airline pilot who had booked more than 7,000 hours of flight time, most of which was jet experience across continents. He moved into the high risk area of the oil and gas sector. He has since broken the glass ceiling with his many accomplishments in the area of marine security and marine logistics through his company, Ocean Marine Solution (OMS) Limited.
Captain Hosa
He has further expanded his business scope into real estate, hospitality, entertainment, energy, power, telecoms, aviation and agriculture. It takes someone with the touch of Midas, and who is adroit at multi-tasking, to turn multifarious investments in these areas into gold. Indeed, Captain ‘Hosa’s life is a study in resilience. He has remained steadfast all through the years in the face of daunting challenges occasioned by unpredictable business environments, and yet succeeding in the varying circumstances. At the foundation of his business trajectory was Hosyln Ventures Nigeria Limited, which was servicing the oil and gas sector with supplies of refinery catalysts used in major projects, including revamping and procurements. It
participated in the procurement of major engineering components for the Warri Refinery Turn-Around Maintenance in 1994. Hosyln Technologies Nigeria Limited, one of the first indigenous companies to execute engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract in Nigeria, completed and commissioned the early production facility for Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) at Ajoki Oziengbe South Field in 2001. Ocean Marine Solution (OMS) Limited has been involved in the recovery, remediation, maintenance and security surveillance of the Escravos-Warri and Bonny-Port Harcourt pipeline segments. This has resulted in the significant turnaround of the pipeline system from its once decrepit state in the past eight years to the current efficient and highly utilised level. Furthermore, Captain ‘Hosa is chairman of CMES OMS JV Limited, an integrated energy-related company with the capacity to provide financing and technical solutions to the upstream oil and gas sector, ranging from explorations to first oil for public and private indigenous oil companies. He is also chairman of PPP Fluid Mechanics Limited, Secured Anchorage Area (SAA) Offshore Lagos, Gyro Air Limited, Ocean Marine Tankers Limited, Wells Farms Limited, Hoslyn Habitat Limited (a design, construction, and landscaping company), Wells Entertainments Limited, Wells Carlton Hotel and Luxury Apartments, and several other businesses. Captain ‘Hosa is a non-Executive Director of a number of companies, including: NATCOM NTEL (formerly NITEL), Funds Electronics Transfer Solutions (provider of electronic payment solutions), and Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Company Limited (core investor in Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Limited). He began his education at Government Primary School, Benin City, from
where he proceeded to the Federal Government College, Warri, in 1971, where he sat for his West African School Certificate Examination and passed with flying colours in 1975. He attended the Nigerian Civil Aviation Training Centre (NCATC), Zaria, where he graduated as a professional commercial pilot in 1979 at the age of 21, consequent upon which he began his professional career as a co-pilot with Aero Contractors Limited, which sponsored him to NCATC. He later attended ACME School of Aeronautics, Fort Worth, Texas in 1983 where he obtained his Airline Transport Pilot Licence and was promoted a captain in the same year at the age of 25. He flew as captain with the Intercontinental Airlines and in 1985 he joined the services of Okada Airlines from where he retired in 1988. For his outstanding contributions to the promotion of peace and good governance as well as development of his community, Captain ‘Hosa was, in 2007, honoured with the Justice of the Peace (JP). In 2012, the United States Congress, honoured him with the “African Titan”Award for being a voice of the Niger Delta people through a movie, which he single-handed sponsored, titled “Black November.” The University of Benin also conferred on him a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration (Honoris Causa) in 2012. The Oba of Benin, in 2014, recognised and decorated him as a worthy ambassador of the ancient Benin Kingdom. Captain “Hosa has just been nominated as the Vanguard Businessman of the Year 2016 for his great accomplishments in business. It is not in doubt that with the way he is successfully breaking new grounds, absolutely touching lives, impacting people and his community positively, he will receive more feathers in his cap in the years ahead. – Mr Ojeifo, journalist and publisher, sent this piece via ojwonderngr@yahoo. com
HIP Amusement Park Rocked with African Pride at Yuletide Bennett Oghifo
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he highly popular High Impact Planet (HIP) presented families a rare opportunity of fun-filled holidays last December, with non-stop shows like the Praise Blast and African Night, among others. High Impact Planet is a fast-growing Resort located about 10 minutes’ drive from Isheri in Lagos, directly opposite the Mountain Top University, off the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. An interesting component of the activities laid out at the park is that there is something for everybody and for all age bracket, said the Managing Director, Prince Adeyoloye Lipede, during a press conference on the success of the end of year events and their plans for the future. The park, which is built on 1,855sqms has a huge residential facility for guests who may want to take a break from the toils of life and unwind for as long as they desire, enjoying the over 45 rides and games there to booth. The guest house has five, four, three and two bedroom flats; studio and single rooms and they are all selfserviced apartments, meaning guests can cook their own meals. Families can share the flats and it is also ideal for corporate organisations’ retreat, as well as an opportunity for people to get away from the chaos of city life wherever they may be, he said. There is complementary wifi for those who may want to keep in touch with the outside world. “We have many people from outside Nigeria coming here and they don’t need to bother about internet connection.” The end of year events hosted to entertain guests at the park began on
Fun time at High Impact Planet
December 21 with the African Night, which was conceived to showcase African culture, designs and even food, said Lipede, who had with him the Deputy General Manager, Ufuoma Ogodo and the Team Lead, Digital Marketing, PR and Brand Management, Victoria Odimba. “Those who are resident at the park had fun; there were some African artistes, karaoke, and on the 26th of December we had the maiden edition of Praise Blast, consisting of 19 performances. We had on the stage a living legend, Chief Ebenezer Obey, as well as the Daystar Choir of over 200 choristers that supported a popular female act.” The Praise Blast had many A-list artistes performing and Ebenezer Obey, particularly took guests down memory lane with his evergreen hit songs. “We had over 10,000 people in attendance and we had fun without medical
emergencies or hazards. “We have decided to make the Praise Blast an annual event on the 26th of December; sponsorship is welcome.” There was a group from South Africa and another group from Abuja, which set the crowd shrieking in ecstasy, among others. Before all that, the arena had the blessing of the General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adegboye, who personally visited to bless the park. The park is not for a particular age bracket. There was something for everyone, which was the reason the park managers threw in hits from the past, known as the old school. “We all dressed like in the old days and it was fun, trying to relive the past years.” As a major treat, they had a Filipino band from Philippines that played every night from the 21st of December to January 2, this year. Every guest
from within an outside had something to look forward to daily. “Something new is introduced in the Resort every quarter, either an indoor game or an outdoor ride.” They all performed on the magnificent collapsible stage that is the biggest in Africa and the Middle East. It is about 46 metres long by 14 metres high and it is made in Germany. “We used it in Dubai and we thought that it would be better to use it in Nigeria. As it is, we have created a permanent arena for concerts. After our concert on the 26th, a church and a company have indicated interest in making use of our stage. We are ready to partner with whoever is interested in using our space and facilities.” The special events continued on the last Friday of the year with DJ Spinnof performing until about 4 AM on Saturday. As a show of goodwill, guests were shuttled to Berger Bus Stop, Ojota from the park after the gig. December 18, 2016 was their first anniversary and the gigs were their special way of thanking their patrons. There are more activities lined up for the year, he said and that apart from the presentations of the park’s managers, there would be activities by people who would want to use their facilities. The Resort has huge parking space and security- full body scanner and ground patrol, reinforced with the presence of a manned police post and barracks. There are different sizes of halls and conference rooms, eateries within walking distance of all games and rides. The Resort’s managers have big plans for the future. “What we want to be if what Disney is to the world now. The funding is smooth, part loan, part venture capital. “We are able to sleep with our eyes closed.”