By: AKOR SYLVESTER, Abuja and ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU,

BUSINESS mogul, Chief Augustine Ejikeme Ilodibe is dead. He is the owner of the Ekene dili Chukwu empire, Infact, most people know him by that name. He would have been 75 on December 18, 2007.
Ilodibe was a life long member of Peoples Club of Nigeria



Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State described the death as a "big loss to the state and the nation at large." \r\nDaily Champion learnt from dependable sources that Ilodibe, who is the owner of the popular Ekene Dili Chukwu Motors Nigeria Ltd died last Sunday at St. Nicholas Hospital Lagos. \r\nHe was said to be receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment before he passed on. \r\nReacting to the demise of the notable transporter, Gov. Obi said that "this is a big loss to the people of Anambra State and the state government is fully taken aback by the sudden death and we commiserate with the family over the sudden death of its beloved. We urge the family to take heart and rededicate their lives in moving the numerous legacies the deceased left behind".

Obi, who spoke through his chief press secretary, Mike Udah lauded late Chief Ilodibe for his consistence and patriotism in business. \r\nBut the speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Anayo Nnebe said he won’t comment on the demise of the transport guru until the House sits today to avoid rumour.

Staffers of the motor company in Abuja and Lagos offices were seen hanging around in sorrowful mood. \r\nOne of the officials of the company in Abuja, who does not want his name in print told Daily Champion, the staffers were missing their deceased chairman.

Ilodibe was born on December 18, 1932, in Aba, Abia State. He married Catherine Egoyibo in 1956 and was blessed with children. \r\nIlodibe attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Otolo, Nnewi,1943-48. He founded Ekpene Dili Chukwu Group of Companies, comprising Ekene Dili Chukwu (Nigeria) Limited (a Transport Corporation), Ekene Dili Chukwu Motors Limited, which he incorporated in 1977 for distribution of Mercedes Benz trucks, cars, buses and spare parts.

He is a member of the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture. Member of the Order of the Federal Republic and holds an honorary doctorate degree in Business Administration (Hon. D.BA) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 1988