ILODIBE, Chief (Dr.) Augustine Ejikeme

The Model Transporter by(Henry Atenega). Businessmen normallywalk intotheembrace of history bygoing againstthe grain; though motivatedbyprofit.Austin Ejikeme Ilodibe was born on 18 December 1932, and had his eyes fixed on business from the onset. He was just 13when fate took a cruel twist and scuttled his dreams offormal education as the route to the tophischiefsponsor, ChiefJ.C Ulasi died. (Ulasi, inci dentally, was a road transporter). His mother, Mrs Eunice Ilodibe, took him to Reverend Father Lewis Ketels inNnewi who took him on asahousehelp ona salary ofeightshillingsa month. Five years later, it was time to change gears again. FatherKetels had wanted young Ilodibe to go into the seminary, but thatwas not part ofthe young man's visions. The Reverend Father then blessed him andgave him,thirty-five pounds to support his future endeavours. Austin Ilodibe had his on eyes fixed on busi ness. First, because those he stayed with before Fa ther Ketels were successful businessmen. Second, because he came from a very humble home where the only truly scarcecommoditywas money. He eventually relocated to Onitshato start an apprenticeship under a motor spare parts dealer, Mr D.C Chukwujekwu. From there, after serving his full apprenticeship term, he opened a modest spare parts shop. He had learnt the trade well and was making enough money to stay attracted, but his vi sion stretched beyond. The models he held in high esteem were all successful transporters. These were ChiefD.C Umefo, the proprietor ofIjeoma Trans port Ltd; his former guardian, J.C Ulasi; Sir Odumegwu Ojukwu; and Mr. Albert Igbokwe. He wanted to be like them. In 1955,he took his first step inthis great busi ness venture. He bought his first lorry from SCOA Motors, Onitsha. Thereafter, he operated the trans port and spare parts dealership side by side. It soon becameobviousthatsparepartshad to beeliminated. His transportion business was so successful that by November ofthe same year, young Ilodibe ordered for a second lorry. Thus, the fleet grew and grew until 'Ekene Dili Chukwu' became a household name across the length and breadth of the East Central State. The company transported people to and from most villages and towns in there region,dictating the pace for many to follow. The fleet grew and becamethe first inter-state luxurious bus service with city offices ofthe com pany inmostcities and stoppingcentres along major highwaysinNigeria,especially intheEast-Westpas senger movement, and the North . The fleet grew intoindustrialgoods haulage,transporting merchan disefromhigh-flyingcompanies likeDunlopNigeria totheirmajordistibutors across thecountry. Thiswas donewithclockworkefficiency andwithdamage and lossreduced tothe barest minimum. Now, you hardly mention the name 'Ekene Dili Chukwu' (Thanks be toGod)without the nextNigerian, nomatter histribal orreligious leanings,nodding hishead inrecognition. The fleet grew to become the role model for intra-and inter-state busservice business inNigeria. Indue course, increased competition and constantly improvingtechnology combined to bringabout inno vations in quality service, marketing and coverage. He has remained the motivating force in the road transportation business inNigeria; the one to whom the younger ones in the business looked up to for advice and support; and the beacon the rest ofthe country recognized for his pioneeringroles. Not surprisingly, ChiefIlodibe became thefirst Nigerian fellow ofthe UK Institute ofTransportation Administration. The youngman who was stopped by the unfortunatedemise ofhis cousin from continuing his education, was awarded honourarydoctoratede grees bytwo universities ofnote inNigeria: The Uni versity ofNigeria,Nsukka, awarded him a Honorary Doctor of Business Administration; while the University of Ilorin conferred a Honorary Doctor of Science on him. Awards to the 'Ekene Dili Cliuwku' group or ChiefIlodibe himself, overthe years, have included special recognition awards bythe Rotary ClubInter national; The Nigerian Association ofChambers of Commerce, Industry,MinesandAgriculture; The Red Cross; Mercedes Benz, Do, Brazil;and the Nigerian/ American Chamber of Commerce. To limit this discussion to Chief I Iodine's trans port business alone isto do a disservice to this great man. Naturally, the flag bearers ofthe group are Ekene Dili Chukwu Nig. Ltd. and Ekene Dili Chukwu Mo tors Ltd.The first specializes in passenger transportation and road haulage across the nation. It has loading bays and modern garages in major cities in East, West, South and North and also operates heavy-duty haulage trucks from Lagos and Onitsha. Ekene Dili Chukwu Motors, on the other hand, imports tropicalized Mercedes Benz vehicles and allied prod ucts from Germany and operates ultra-modern work shops. Ekene Dili Chukwu (Steel Structures) Ltd., joined the group after a 1975 study identified ways to meet the body-building requirements of road haulage in Nigeria. The company was set up in partnership with German experts. It builds vehicle bodies, firefighting equipment, refuse disposal containers and bullion vans, and currently operates two factories. Chief Ilodibe also established the United Modern Insurance Brokers Limited, way back in 1978 as a professional firm ofinsurance advisers cum pension and claims consultants. Austin Farms and Allied Industries Limited is the youngest member of the group. It was incorporated in 1986 and it occupies about 500 hectares of land at Anaku in Anambra State. It produces live stock feeds and also operates a poultry, piggery, fish pond, hatchery, feed mills and processing units. Its other produce include maize, pineapple, citrus fruits and vegetables. Chief Austin Ejikeme Ilodibe, married to Catherine Egoyibo in 1956 and is blessed with 14 Children (4 boys, 10 girls). He is a member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, (OFR).