Biography
March 11, 2021
This Great man, Cyril Igwedumogu Ozoh was born into the
family of Nze Ozoh Nkurumeh and Lolo Nwaeyiogu Martina Ozoh on the 25th
day of December 1940. Before he started his education, he travelled to Benin
City to stay with his elder brother, late Emerole Ozoh who was at that time
into rubber tapping business. During his stay there, he met a catholic
seminarian who started teaching him how to read and write. Because of his avid
interest in education, he came back home to start school.
He attended the St Dominic Central school in Awo-Idemili. After his first year (Standard 1) in school which was free due to the then Federal Government’s policy, he had to do some after school jobs to afford both his younger brother, Alfred, and his school fees.
Upon completing his education, he got enrolled at the Uzoigwe Medicine store Awo-Idemili as an apprentice. Cyril was so good and dedicated to the training that his boss, Dan Uzoigwe of blessed memory entrusted their important clients to him. Afterwards, he started a patent medicine store at Eke-Ubahaeze. During the Nigerian Civil War, he was conscripted into the defuncted Biafran army. So, the business had to shut down.
At the beginning of 1970, after the Civil War, Cyril travelled to Onitsha to set up same business, this time in partnership with Hyacinth Igbom, a close friend he met during the war. After one year in Onitsha, they moved the business to Lagos. By the end of 1972, the business had grown to two branches. Cyril and Hyacinth shared the proceeds from the business and went their separate ways. With the proceeds he grew his business having more stores. He also diversified into transport service in 1976 where he started a company called Chimdi Express. Other businesses he ventured into were cooking gas sales point where he distributed for NIDOGAS as well as Liquor sub-distribution centre. Due to the pressure that came with the management of these businesses, he had to settle some of his apprentices with almost all the stores and sold the other businesses. By 1986 he had started a wholesale pharmacy business- Cyrinno Pharmaceuticals Limited in Balogun Lagos Island. He went on to become distributor to Sterling-Winthrop (now Sanofi), Glaxo (now GSK) and Bayer. He retired as an ex-officio member of Lagos State Medicine Dealers Association (LSMDA).
Cyril got wedded to his loving and caring wife, Lolo Rose Nneji, daughter of Nnadiekwe Egbule of Ubahaeze, Awo-Idemili on the 1st of December 1973 at St Mary’s Catholic Church Ajegunle. Before his demise, God blessed them with nine children and numerous grandchildren.
After spending forty-five years in Lagos, in 2016, he and his wife retired to their house in Owerri in Imo state just to be closer home. Cyril died on the morning of January 28th, 2021 after a brief illness. May he rest in the bosom of the Lord.
Ezeifedi, as he was fondly called lived a life of simplicity and honesty. His mantra had always been ‘Do your best and believe in God’.
He attended the St Dominic Central school in Awo-Idemili. After his first year (Standard 1) in school which was free due to the then Federal Government’s policy, he had to do some after school jobs to afford both his younger brother, Alfred, and his school fees.
Upon completing his education, he got enrolled at the Uzoigwe Medicine store Awo-Idemili as an apprentice. Cyril was so good and dedicated to the training that his boss, Dan Uzoigwe of blessed memory entrusted their important clients to him. Afterwards, he started a patent medicine store at Eke-Ubahaeze. During the Nigerian Civil War, he was conscripted into the defuncted Biafran army. So, the business had to shut down.
At the beginning of 1970, after the Civil War, Cyril travelled to Onitsha to set up same business, this time in partnership with Hyacinth Igbom, a close friend he met during the war. After one year in Onitsha, they moved the business to Lagos. By the end of 1972, the business had grown to two branches. Cyril and Hyacinth shared the proceeds from the business and went their separate ways. With the proceeds he grew his business having more stores. He also diversified into transport service in 1976 where he started a company called Chimdi Express. Other businesses he ventured into were cooking gas sales point where he distributed for NIDOGAS as well as Liquor sub-distribution centre. Due to the pressure that came with the management of these businesses, he had to settle some of his apprentices with almost all the stores and sold the other businesses. By 1986 he had started a wholesale pharmacy business- Cyrinno Pharmaceuticals Limited in Balogun Lagos Island. He went on to become distributor to Sterling-Winthrop (now Sanofi), Glaxo (now GSK) and Bayer. He retired as an ex-officio member of Lagos State Medicine Dealers Association (LSMDA).
Cyril got wedded to his loving and caring wife, Lolo Rose Nneji, daughter of Nnadiekwe Egbule of Ubahaeze, Awo-Idemili on the 1st of December 1973 at St Mary’s Catholic Church Ajegunle. Before his demise, God blessed them with nine children and numerous grandchildren.
After spending forty-five years in Lagos, in 2016, he and his wife retired to their house in Owerri in Imo state just to be closer home. Cyril died on the morning of January 28th, 2021 after a brief illness. May he rest in the bosom of the Lord.
Ezeifedi, as he was fondly called lived a life of simplicity and honesty. His mantra had always been ‘Do your best and believe in God’.