EkenediliChukwu’s son, Augustine Ilodibe Junior has died of covid19.
The billionaire transport mogul, Augustine Ilodibe was better known by his business name EkenediliChukwu.
Ilodibe Junior is reported to have died in Lagos of complications arising from Covid19.
He was aged 42 years. His death was confirmed by a spokesperson and member of the family in a statement last night.
According to him, “With great sadness, we announce the passing to glory of our dear son, husband, father, brother and uncle, Ekenedilichukwu Augustine Chukwunonso ILODIBE (Junior) who died this morning from complications of covid19 in Lagos.”
The official statement was also signed by the deceased son, Obinna Ilodibe on behalf of the family.
Ekenedilichukwu Transport is a Nigerian logistics group with headquarters in Onitsha, Anambra State.
It was Nigeria’s largest interstate luxury bus operator founded by the deceased father, an auto spare parts dealer.
The firm dominated the transport business in the 1980s and 1990s with operations across all geo-political regions of Nigeria.
Ilodibe launched the business after procuring a lorry in the mid 1950s to carry passengers and goods.
After the Nigerian Civil war, it became the most prominent bus operator in the then East Central State.
Ilodibe Senior later acquired a dealership licence with Mercedes-Benz trucks and also diversified into other auto and non-auto sectors.
After the death of the founder in 2007, infighting among the children of various wives precipitated a gradual decline in the fortunes of the company and drove the business to a near total collapse.
It has remained moribund for many years with the seizure of its properties by AMCON due to business’s inability to meet its debt commitments.
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EkenediliChukwu’s Son Dies of Covid19