AUSTINE ILLODIBE
AUSTINE ILLODIBE: THE WILL TO WIN
Austin Illodibe, executive chairman of Ekene Dili Chukwu Group of Companies, is an outstanding businessman who has shown that limited education is on barrier to success in life. Illodibe in 1952 started life as an apprentice motor spare parts dealer. Through dint of hardwork and determination, he set up a thriving business. Although the Nigerian civil war brought a set back to his business he bounced back at the end of the war.
Road transport has always been Illodibe's main business interest. He started out with road haulage and did well before diversifying into personal transport especially luxurious bus business which he pioneered and where his business name Ekene Dili Chukwu continues to ring a bell.
The Ekene Dili Chukwu Group has subsidiaries in transport related business. Ekene Dili Chukwu Motors Limited imports and sells Mercedes luxurious buses, and Mercedes cars, as well as Peugeot cars. They company also offers maintenance services. Ekene Dili Chukwu (steel structured limited) is a typical case of backward integration and application of technological know-how in building steel bodies for trailers and other haulage vehicles and tanks. Other companies in the Ekene Dili Chukwu group are Austin Farms and Allied Industries Limited, and Austin Ejikeme Ilodibe Properties Limited. There are also units involved in trading, printing and publishing, cinema business and insurance brokage.
Ilodibe, as a visionary businessman, has investments in other campanies such as Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company, Enugu; A. G. Leventis and Manufacturers' Merchant Bank. He has in the past held directorship of Universal Trust Bank and Orient Bank. Illodibe holds many professional association titles including fellow, Institute of Transport Administration, UK, and honorary life vice-president, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.
He has received honorary degrees including Doctor of Business Administration from University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and two other universities, one of which is American based. A philanthropist, he has donate buildings to educational institutions and the University of Nigeria Graduate School is one of the beneficiaries. He has also awarded scholarships to many students. He belongs to many social clubs including Ratary Club, Peoples Club and Anaedo Social Club. He holds many chieftaincy titles in recognition of his contributions to the development of his community.
His hobbies include lawn tennis, billiards and watching films.
Newswatch June 29, 1998
" Newswatch 1998