Godwin Ubaka Okeke is quite a simple man. Despite owning one of the biggest business empires in the whole of Nigeria, the billionaire – who owns G.U.O Transport Company, ANAMMCO, Varaman Industry – has a very conservative lifestyle.
He still lives in the house he built decades ago in Onitsha and shows no sign of moving into anything bigger.
In 1970, when he was barely 21 years, he started G.U.O Transport Company, immediately after the war. Then, he moved passengers with a private car from Onitsha to Enugu, and he has run this business profitably for over 50 years.
G.U Okeke in one of his workshop speeches, said he doesn’t invest in expensive possessions neither does he enjoy the media. He runs his business like one that knows the value of every kobo.
In the 90s, people considered not to be as rich as him were buying expensive cars, the billionaire stuck to his old vehicle.
When asked why he refused to change his ride, he replied:
“whenever I raise enough money for a new private car, I considered the cost of a new luxurious bus. And most times, the difference is not much. I will be torn between both. And the latter always takes the money.”
He believed that a lot of people move into business without proper calculation, without endurance, without experience. And when they make money they don’t know how to control, the money will disappear again as it came.
No one can tell what Godwin Ubaka Okeke is worth in physical cash, but everyone knows that for 50 years, his business empire expands daily.
