Chief (Dr.) Ezekiel Aikohi Ainabe marks his 80th birthday today, celebrating a life shaped by discipline, resilience and decades of service in business and community development.

He marked the milestone with quiet reflection, looking back on a life defined by steady progress, discipline and a deep sense of purpose. For the businessman and community leader, the celebration was not merely about age. It is about a journey that began in modest circumstances and grew into a legacy built across industries and communities.

At 80, Ainabe stands as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kohi Engineering Nigeria Limited, with a career that has cut across shipping, heavy equipment, automotive, oil and gas, agriculture and financial services.

His professional footprint reflects not just longevity, but adaptability and vision, shaped over decades of experience.
In an interview with Guardian Life on his birthday, he described his life in simple but layered terms. “From what is happening and what has happened in my life, I see it as a stage. Life is stage by stage,” he said.

“First of all, you come to the world through pregnancy. From pregnancy comes your delivery… and when you start to work, you have to walk from one level to the other. It is a stage that has come to pass.”

His words convey clarity; beneath their simplicity lies a profound, lived understanding of growth, struggle, and transformation.

A childhood shaped by hardship

Long before the boardrooms and business titles, there was a boy growing up in Ujoelen, Ekpoma, Edo State, where life demanded resilience from an early age. The environment offered little in terms of comfort, and survival depended largely on endurance.

“A lot of hardship,” he said, pausing as though weighing the memory.

Basic amenities were almost non-existent. There was no clean water, no proper roads and very little infrastructure to support daily life. Families relied on pond water for everything.

“We were using pond water to bathe, eat and drink. All we had was pond water,” he recalled. “The water that was collected from the village, we would go and fetch it, boil it or just drink, and yet, we were able to survive to that stage.”

Those experiences left a lasting imprint on him. They shaped how he sees people, hardship and responsibility.
“I went through those stages… if I had not gone through it, nothing would have warmed my heart to have sympathy for the community,” he said.

That early exposure to struggle would later influence many of his decisions, especially those tied to community service.

Education against the odds

Growing up in a polygamous household added another layer of challenge. His father, a peasant farmer, had seventeen children to provide for, making education a difficult privilege to sustain.

Some children went to school. Others remained at home to support the family through farming.

At a point, Ainabe found himself among those who had to step away from school, not because he lacked ability, but because the family could not afford the cost.

“I remember when I was in school; it was not possible for me to do most of what my classmates were doing due to financial constraints,” he said.

The turning point came with the introduction of free primary education under Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1955. For many children, it opened doors. For Ainabe, it changed the direction of his life.

He returned to school and quickly distinguished himself.

“I was one of the brightest in my class, and I even got ahead of my elder brothers, who started before me. The teachers always commended me as a clever person,” he said.

What began as a disrupted education became a foundation for growth. That moment marked a quiet but decisive shift from limitation to opportunity.

Building a life through work

Ainabe carried the lessons of discipline and resilience into his adult life, approaching work with consistency and purpose.

His professional journey began in 1969 at Shell in Kaduna, where he was introduced to structured corporate practice and professional discipline. “That propelled me,” he said.

From that point, his career expanded steadily across industries. He worked in shipping, heavy equipment, automotive, oil and gas, agriculture and financial services, gaining insights that would later shape his entrepreneurial path.

His time at organisations such as Halliburton and Landmark further deepened his experience.

“My experiences in those companies metamorphosed into establishing Kohi Engineering Limited, which specialises in oil and gas, 3D laser scanning, asset tagging and marine services,” he said.

Across these transitions, one principle remained constant.“I believe in hard work and commitment to work.”

It is a philosophy that has defined his journey, not as a slogan, but as a practice sustained over decades.

Mentors and guiding influences

Ainabe’s story also reflects the importance of guidance and mentorship in shaping a career.

He spoke with respect about Professor Ambrose Alli, whom he described as his godfather and a major influence in his life.

“He was my godfather. I looked on him as my own mentor,” he said.

He also acknowledged other professional influences, including Dr. Olu Adekanbi Osidein, Dr. Ayo Adisa and Chief Olu Oduforowa. These figures, he said, encouraged him to remain focused and committed, especially during the early stages of his career.

Their influence helped shape his outlook, reinforcing values of discipline, responsibility and continuous learning.

Turning hardship into service

For Ainabe, success was never an end in itself. It was a responsibility.

The memory of growing up without access to clean water remained with him long after he left his community. When the opportunity came to make a difference, he stepped forward.

“I was the chairman,” he said, referring to his role in a community water project. “I knew what to do to look for water for our community because I knew the hardship there. Somebody had to bear the burden, and I volunteered.”

The project required coordination, trust and accountability. It was not just about raising funds, but about ensuring the process was transparent and sustainable.

“In my time, we raised money to get water for our community. I led the whole exercise and gave accountability to the community. The papers are there,” he said.

Today, the impact of that effort continues to be felt. It stands as a reminder that meaningful change often begins with personal experience and the willingness to act.

Family, relationships and values

Beyond business and community work, Ainabe placed strong value on family and relationships. For him, success without human connection would have been incomplete.

“I love my family very well,” he said. “You have to understand people. You have to appreciate them.”

That belief has shaped how he sees family life. “Every Christmas, I welcome all my children together. It is important to bring them together,” he said. There was something revealing in that statement. It showed that for him, family was not simply inherited. It had to be nurtured, held together and intentionally sustained.

Friendship, too, mattered to him. “You cannot make life all about yourself. You must have friends. I have friends I have stayed with for many years. We sit together and talk.” It was another reflection of the values that run through his life: loyalty, continuity and meaningful connection.

A clear view of Nigeria

At 80, Ainabe reflects on Nigeria with a measured perspective. He recognises the country’s potential, but also acknowledges the challenges that continue to limit its progress.

“It is certainly not the best; it can be better,” he said.

He pointed to key issues, including poor infrastructure, unreliable electricity, inadequate road networks and insecurity as major barriers to growth and investment.

Despite these challenges, he remains hopeful. He believes that with deliberate action and responsible leadership, meaningful progress is achievable.

Lessons for the next generation

For younger professionals, Ainabe’s message is clear and grounded in experience.

“They need to show more interest in understanding the various sectors. They need to understand that life is on a forward and upward trajectory,” he said.