20 July 2007
editorial
Lagos — With the death of the transport mogul, (Dr.) Chief Augustine Ejikeme Ilodibe, F.Int. T.A ( UK ) MFR, popularly known as Ekene Dili Chukwu or Ekene, for short, a vital chapter has been closed in the history of road transportation in Nigeria . Ekene died on Sunday, July 1 at St. Nicholas Hospital Lagos after a prostrated illness. He would have been 75 on December 18, 2007.
Born on December 18, 1932 in Aba , Abia State, Ilodibe attended St. Joseph Catholic School , Otolo, Nnewi, Anambra State . Like many of his ilk, Ilodibe started life from the scratch. In his early years he was called Augustine Nwafada (Augustine the Reverend father's son) because he served the Holy Mass so well that one of the Rev. Fathers blessed him. Later when he ventured into the road transport business in 1955, his success was traced to that blessing.
A native of Ndengbu, Otolo, Nnewi in Anambra State, Ilodibe was a great transport pioneer and innovator who changed the face of road transportation in Nigeria. Until his death, he was the Chairman/Chief Executive of the conglomerate Ekene Dili Chukwu Group of Companies comprising Ekene Dili Chukwu (Nig) Limited, United Modern Bus Service, Ekene Dili Chukwu Motors Limited, Ekene Dili Chukwu Steel Structures Limited, Austin Farms and Allied Industries Limited, United Modern Insurance Brokers Limited. With a fleet of luxury buses, mini-buses, taxis, light and heavy trucks and haulages, Ekene Dili Chukwu (Nig) Limited and United Modern Bus Service brought great innovation to bear on road transportation in Nigeria . Before the emergence of Ekene Dili Chukwu, road transportation in different parts of Nigeria especially from Onitsha to Lagos was hellish and most disgusting. But after Ekene took the Nigerian road transport industry by storm, passengers were able to travel with comfort. Ilodibe encouraged his drivers to drive gently and carefully. He brought professionalism into the road transport business. Thus the name Ekene Dili Chukwu has come to signify diligence, professionalism and safety. Any wonder the accident rate of Ekene buses is one of the lowest in the country among other transporters.
Perhaps Ilodibe will be best remembered as a great catalyst for the growth of commerce and industry in Nigeria . Through his great pioneering efforts in road transportation in Nigeria , the Nigerian economy got a great boost. He constructed many private and public roads to facilitate the movement of commercial buses and trucks in Nigeria . He provided employment for many drivers and low-income workers. He remained one of the few Nigerians who, without government patronage, became rich by dint of hardwork, dogged entrepreneurial acumen, managerial skills, resourcefulness, creativity and vision. There is no doubt that other notable Nigerian transporters like Chisco, Ifesinachi, ABC, The Young, Chidi Ebere etc drew their inspiration from his unwavering perseverance and tenacity in the face of all odds.
Aside from charting a course in innovative road transportation, Ekene was a philanthropist, humanist and public-spitted individual who lived for the entire humanity. This is probably why he was conferred with the title: Onwanetiliola (the moon that shines for all) in 1981. Under his watch, Ekene Group of Companies made several contributions to educational advancement in Nigeria through the grant of scholarships to indigent students up to the University level. Ilodibe also made substantial contributions to the endowment fund of various Nigerian universities as well as donated funds for the erection of new buildings and provision of equipment in many universities.
In recognition of his contribution to the improvement of road transportation in Nigeria, Ilodibe was awarded the honorary doctorate of Business Administration by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and honorary doctorate of Science by the University of Ilorin . The Federal Government honoured him with the national award of a member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR). Ilodibe held honorary awards for excellence from various organizations like the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Rotary Club International, Red Cross etc. Former President Obasanjo appointed him a member of the Special Committee on the Review of Petroleum Products, Supply and Distribution in Nigeria .
While we commiserate with the Ilodibe family of Nnewi, the Anambra State government and Nigeria for this great loss, we urge the children of Chief Ilodibe to build on the legacy which their father has left behind. We also urge other Nigerian transporters to emulate the Ekene Dili Chukwu legacy of service, professionalism and efficiency in the management of their vehicles.
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