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Augustine Ilodibe (1932-2007) - Transportation Mogul [Ekene Dili Chukwu]

Sun News
14th Aug. 2007

Nigeria, on July 1, 2007, lost a leading light in the road transportation sector, Chief (Dr.) Augustine Ejikeme Ilodibe. The transportation mogul, popularly known by the name of his business outfit, Ekene Dili Chukwu, passed on after a protracted illness at St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos. He was aged 74.

The passage of this outstanding entrepreneur brings to an end the odyssey of a meritorious life devoted to the service of the nation in the vital inter-state transportation sector which he bestrode with his very successful transportation company, Ekene Dili Chukwu (Nigeria) Limited.

Ekene Dili Chukwu (Nigeria) Limited, with its large fleet of luxury buses traversing the length and breadth of the country and some countries on the West African coast, has consistently provided efficient and comfortable transportation services to the nation for about four decades. Ilodibe demonstrated the viability of transportation of people across the various regions of the country as a business and stood out, an icon, in a sector in which even government – owned transportation companies, with all the funds and facilities at their disposal, mostly floundered and collapsed. Ilodibe’s Ekene Dili Chukwu was instrumental to the quick re-integration of the East and other regions of the country, through massive movement of people at the end of the civil war, in 1970.

Augustine Ejikeme Ilodibe was born on December 18, 1932 in Aba, in present day Abia State. He had his primary education at St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Otolo, Nnewi between 1943 and 1948. He thereafter served a Reverend Father in charge of Nnewi Catholic Parish, Rev. Kettle, for four years before moving on to an apprenticeship in motor spare parts trading.

Ilodibe later ventured into road transportation and founded the Ekene Dili Chukwu Group of Companies, comprising Ekene Dili Chukwu (Nigeria) Limited and Ekene Dili Chukwu Motors Limited which he incorporated in 1977 for distribution of Mercedes Benz trucks, cars, buses and spare parts. His passion for, and unwavering commitment to the success of his transportation business contributed to the emergence of other transportation companies.

Beyond transportation, Ilodibe will be remembered for his commitment to the upliftment of mankind. He was a public-spirited man whose humanitarian efforts earned him the traditional titles: Onwanetilioha (the moon that shines for all) of Nnewi, in 1981, and Okeosisi of Orlu, amongst others.

A lover of education, Ilodibe contributed to the advancement of education through granting of scholarships to indigent students and contributions to the university sector. In acknowledgement of his contributions to road transportation in Nigeria, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka awarded llodibe a honourary doctorate degree in Business Administration (Hon D. BA,) in 1988. He received another honorary doctorate degree from the University of llorin, in Kwara State. His entrepreneurial sagacity and managerial acumen were also recognised by various organisations like the Rotary Club and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Mines, Industry and Agriculture (NACCIMA) which conferred him with various awards for excellence.

The Federal Government, in recognition of llodibe’s entrepreneurial ingenuity and his impact on the transportion sector conferred llodibe with the national honour, Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR) in 2000.

The height attained by Ilodibe provides a useful lesson to Nigerians on the virtues of hard work, discipline and tenacity of purpose. He chose the path in which he made his mark early in life and put everything he had into making a success of the enterprise. His professional and efficient management of his business is a shinning example for all Nigerians, especially those in the transportation sector.

We commiserate with the Ilodibe family of Nnewi, Anambra State and all Nigerians on the passage of this great entrepreneur. The greatest tribute that his family and employees can pay to him is to improve and continue with the legacy of professional and efficient management of the Ekene Dili Chukwu fleet.

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May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm