Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu
Encyclopedia
Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, KBE, (1909-1966) was an extremely successful Nigerian businessman from Nnewi
. Ojukwu was the first and founding President of The Nigerian Stock Exchange as well as President of The African Continental Bank. He was also on the board of directors of some of Nigeria's most powerful and most prestigious companies such as Shell Oil Nigeria Limited. He won a parliamentary seat during the nation's first republic. He attended a primary school in Asaba
and the Hope Waddell Institute.
as a tyre
sales clerk. He also incorporated a textile company in Onitsha
to supplement his income during this period, already exhibiting a little bit of his entrepreneurial spirit. While at John Holt, he noticed the severe strain a lack of adequate transportation had on Eastern textile
traders. He later left John Holt to create a transport company to improve the trading environment for Nigerian traders. As a transporter, he was a tireless worker and meticulous to detail; he was usually the first to inspect his transport vehicles for oil and leakages. Apart from his work ethic, his success was also oiled by the economic boom after World War II
, working with the West African Railway Company and the newly inaugurated produce boards, he provided his fleet for commodity transportation and for other traders use.
During the 1950s, he diversified his interest, bought some industries, invested heavily in the real estate sector and became a director in numerous major corporations including the state-owned Nigerian National Shipping Line
. He was a member of the board of Nigerian Coal Corporation
, Shell Oil, D'Archy, and African Continental Bank.
Ojukwu died in 1966, just a year before the Nigerian civil war
. His son Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu
was the leader of the secessionist state of Biafra
.
Nnewi
Nnewi is the second largest city in Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria. Nnewi as a metropolitan city encompasses two local government areas, Nnewi North and Nnewi South; Nnewi North is commonly referred to as Nnewi central, and comprises four autonomous quarters: Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim, and...
. Ojukwu was the first and founding President of The Nigerian Stock Exchange as well as President of The African Continental Bank. He was also on the board of directors of some of Nigeria's most powerful and most prestigious companies such as Shell Oil Nigeria Limited. He won a parliamentary seat during the nation's first republic. He attended a primary school in Asaba
Asaba, Nigeria
Asaba is the capital of Nigeria's Delta State, and has an estimated population of 149,603 .- Etymology :Ahaba in Igbo is from 'Ahabagom', meaning I have chosen well, a quote from the founding father of Asaba.- Geography :...
and the Hope Waddell Institute.
Life and career
Ojukwu started his professional career at the Agricultural department before leaving to join John HoltJohn Holt Plc
John Holt plc is a Nigerian conglomerate. It has been an important participant in many areas of the economy. The Nigerian company is a subsidiary of John Holt & Co. Ltd, a United Kingdom company...
as a tyre
Tire
A tire or tyre is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel rim to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground...
sales clerk. He also incorporated a textile company in Onitsha
Onitsha
Onitsha is a city, a commercial, educational, and religious center and river port on the eastern bank of the Niger river in Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria....
to supplement his income during this period, already exhibiting a little bit of his entrepreneurial spirit. While at John Holt, he noticed the severe strain a lack of adequate transportation had on Eastern textile
Textile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
traders. He later left John Holt to create a transport company to improve the trading environment for Nigerian traders. As a transporter, he was a tireless worker and meticulous to detail; he was usually the first to inspect his transport vehicles for oil and leakages. Apart from his work ethic, his success was also oiled by the economic boom after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, working with the West African Railway Company and the newly inaugurated produce boards, he provided his fleet for commodity transportation and for other traders use.
During the 1950s, he diversified his interest, bought some industries, invested heavily in the real estate sector and became a director in numerous major corporations including the state-owned Nigerian National Shipping Line
Nigerian National Shipping Line
The Nigerian National Shipping Line was established by the Nigerian government in 1959.Despite heavy investment and subsidies, the state-owned company was unable to compete with European lines....
. He was a member of the board of Nigerian Coal Corporation
Nigerian Coal Corporation
The Nigerian Coal Corporation is a Nigerian parastatal corporation responsible for mining and selling coal. It is based in Enugu.-Origin:...
, Shell Oil, D'Archy, and African Continental Bank.
Ojukwu died in 1966, just a year before the Nigerian civil war
Nigerian Civil War
The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Nigerian-Biafran War, 6 July 1967–15 January 1970, was a political conflict caused by the attempted secession of the southeastern provinces of Nigeria as the self-proclaimed Republic of Biafra...
. His son Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was a Nigerian military officer and politician.Ojukwu served as the military governor of the Eastern Region of Nigeria in 1966, the leader of the breakaway Republic of Biafra from 1967 to 1970 and a leading Nigerian politician from 1983 to 2011, when he died, aged...
was the leader of the secessionist state of Biafra
Biafra
Biafra, officially the Republic of Biafra, was a secessionist state in south-eastern Nigeria that existed from 30 May 1967 to 15 January 1970, taking its name from the Bight of Biafra . The inhabitants were mostly the Igbo people who led the secession due to economic, ethnic, cultural and religious...
.