{"id":2561,"date":"2021-01-10T10:26:16","date_gmt":"2021-01-10T10:26:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/umuakatimes.com\/topnews\/?p=2561"},"modified":"2021-01-10T10:26:45","modified_gmt":"2021-01-10T10:26:45","slug":"a-brief-biography-of-chief-ben-i-okoro-by-prof-g-i-okoro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/umuakatimes.com\/topnews\/a-brief-biography-of-chief-ben-i-okoro-by-prof-g-i-okoro\/","title":{"rendered":"A Brief Biography of Chief Ben I. Okoro. By Prof G.I. Okoro."},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/span> 772<\/span> Views<\/span><\/div>

Dec. 5th, 1934: Ben arrived as the 3rd child but second son of Mrs. Maria Ihukaku(Yeiye)Okoro-Ojiaku. However, he ranked as 5th child and still second son of our father, Late Chief Paul OkoroOkwara-Ojiaku. (Atufulemgbe 1). (Yes 5th of 21 children & still 2nd son in this polygamous family). He was unique in that he was the only son among ten who did not show a keen interest in soccer.1951: FSLC (First School Leaving Certificate (Standard Six at St. Gregory\u2019s Amandugba).<\/p>\n

Professional development and growth.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1952: With about 10 British pounds from Mom and Dad, Gen set sail to Tiko in the then British Southern Cameroon. 1952: Spent first few months hawking roundnut at CDC (Cameroon Development Corporation) Camps and a Tiko Stadium (Holforth Field) on game days. 1952-1956: Unshakeable Determination to become an Automobile Mechanic, Ben \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 signed for Training under the Tutelage of Baba Mechanic, a Yoruba Guru at this Trade.<\/p>\n

1956: Graduated from Training and Obtained His Professional Driver License.<\/p>\n

1956: Tapped by Emmanuel Nwagbara to be his Driver who brought him to Aba to buy a Gwongworo Truck, Dec. 1956.1957: Drove the Truck back to Tiko, taking Brother Greg along. 1958: Bought a first vehicle (2nd Hand Bedford bus) in Partnership with a Bread Baker (Mr. Ejiofor from Amuzari). 1958: Partnership crumbled; lost his money & learned first business lesson that \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 profits are never guaranteed and Business Avenue is littered with land mines of \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 losses.<\/p>\n

1958: Ben\u00a0 went solo; bought his second bus (Austin Power), License Plate CM1941. 1958: CM 1941 was a success story and led to expansion to a fleet of more than \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 six vehicles, all labelled \u201cEASY MOTION\u201d (Nwayo Bu Ije).<\/p>\n

Marriage and family: 1958 \u2013 1959: Engagement & Marriage to Margaret Osuji who also served Adamma Samuel Nzurumike. Adamma was Ben\u2019s cousin who engineered the marriage. Lost first two pregnancies until 1963 the first child arrived, followed by 9 others. (Total: 3 Boys & 7 girls;)<\/p>\n

Evolution of business empire:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1960s: As Transportation Business expanded, so did Road disasters. 1960s: A few fatal accidents led him to switch to Construction Tippers. 1960 \u2013 1970s: Encouraged by a Cameroonian, Paul Bamilikki, Ben secured contracts from French firms engaged in Infrastructure Development).<\/p>\n

Return to Nigeria.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dad (Chief Paul Okoro-Ojiaku (Atufulemgbe 1) insisted upon his return to Nigeria. Ben sets up shops upon return. Mechanic Shop Building Materials Home\/Housing Construction Global Telecommunications Banking Pure Water Cold\u00a0 Storage Facilities. Diversification is the name of his game; Trail Blazing his strategy. Built the landmark Urban Trade Center (To some people, the Motto: No food for a lazy Man Umuaka Skyscraper).<\/p>\n

Legacies: The Human Side of B.I.O. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Investment in Human Capital: Premier in sponsoring people for overseas education. Took Great Interest in Hardworking & Honest people or anyone with such Traits.<\/p>\n

Silent Giver, Not a showman.<\/p>\n

Keen interest in Languages & spoke Igbo, English, Yoruba & French<\/p>\n

Knew most people by name.<\/p>\n

Fantastic Record Keeper & Time Manager.<\/p>\n

The list is long.<\/p>\n

Today, Nov. 15, 2020 is precisely one year you left us. Your memory lives on! \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 RIP!!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

772 ViewsDec. 5th, 1934: Ben arrived as the 3rd child but second son of Mrs….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2558,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2,1],"tags":[75,67,48],"yoast_head":"\nA Brief Biography of Chief Ben I. Okoro. By Prof G.I. Okoro. -<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/umuakatimes.com\/topnews\/a-brief-biography-of-chief-ben-i-okoro-by-prof-g-i-okoro\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A Brief Biography of Chief Ben I. Okoro. By Prof G.I. 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