Ekene Dili Chukwu Motors
Under the sun, our fates differs. Some will make it and others will stand and stare. Of all the money bags that have germinated from South Eastern Nigeria, none was as phenomenal as Augustine Ejikeme Ilodibe: the CEO of Ekene Dili Chukwu Motors.
Ejikeme was a proper story of rags to riches. He was born in Aba in 1932; but. but, moved with his mother to Nnewi. There, his Uncle, the legendary Chief J.C Ulasi took and enrolled him in school. Ill fate hit Ejikeme at13 years old when Chief Ulasi passed away.
Ejike’s mother sent him to Reverend Father Lewis Ketel as a house boy. He earned 8 shillings monthly. Being a good steward, Father Lewis considered enrolling him into the seminary. But the boy disagreed. Stories had it that Ejikeme wouldn’t tell anyone why he wouldn’t join.
Father Ketel blessed him and gave him thirty-five pounds. With the seed capital, Ejike moved to Onitsha and became an apprentice under a Motor Spare Parts dealer, Mr D.C Chukwujekwu. He would later open his own spare part shop before delving into the transportation business.
With time, the transportation business became so successful that he shut down the spare parts business and expanded in transportation. His transport company, Ekene Dili Chukwu motors became the first inter-state transport service with offices in most cities.
They transported both humans and goods across states. The company’s name rose above all similar businesses. After independence, the firm introduced Peugeot 404 salon cars for faster transportation between the Eastern region and Lagos. They transported both humans and goods across states. The company’s name rose above all similar businesses. After independence, the firm introduced Peugeot 404 salon cars for faster transportation between the Eastern region and Lagos.
He got vehicles from Leventis on hire purchase and worked his way back to the top. After the regional transport company was fumbling, Ekene Dili Chukwu launched a large fleet of medium size Mercedes buses for inter-city routes within the Eastern States and to Lagos. During this time, the firm established its own bus terminals to differentiate it from other bus operators who operate in motor parks, settings than can sometimes be chaotic.
Ejike was a pillar of the People’s Club of Nigeria and supported most pre and post-war musicians. He was so larger than life that Okonkwo Asah (77), a legendary musician that sang Long John, told a story of how he was performing on the stage, while people sprayed him with cash, Ejike Ilodibe walked up with papers. Ekene Dili Chukwu was so larger than life that Okonkwo Asah (77), a legendary musician that sang Long John, told a story of how he was performing on the stage, while people sprayed him with cash, Ejike Ilodibe walked up with papers.
He left his business to the hands of his son, Chukwunonso Ilodibe. From that time, the business nosedived. With many transport companies arising and employing different strategies to stay in business, Ekene Dili Chukwu motors have sadly become a name you hear in retrospect.
