…His life and times
By Uche Usim
Business luminary, diplomat, teacher and integrity icon, Dr. Christopher Kolade, passed on on Thursday at the age of 93.
According to the Nigerian business community where he remains a colossus, his death, though at a ripe age, robs the country of the services of an astute leader, a teacher and a pillar.
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Commenting on his passing, the director-general, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, said: “He was a role model, a pillar, custodian of great moral values, versatile and focused. I’ll really miss him.”
He added that Dr. Kolade left towering legacies, just as his life remains a shining light that will illuminate the path the younger generation will tread.
Early life
Kolade was born on December 28, 1932, in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Nigeria.
His father was an Anglican missionary and he grew up in an environment shaped by Christian values and education.
For his early education, he attended Emmanuel School, Ado-Ekiti (1939-1943), and Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti (1944-1945).
He proceeded to Government College, Ibadan, for his secondary education (1946-1951). For university, he went to Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (1954) and a Diploma in Education in 1955.
Career
Dr. Kolade’s career spans multiple sectors: education, broadcasting, business, diplomacy, academia and ethics and leadership.
After university, he returned to Nigeria (circa 1955) as a colonial-era education officer.
He transitioned into broadcasting in the 1960s.
Held various roles, eventually becoming director-general of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), from 1972 to 1978, where he had substantial influence on radio/television in Nigeria.
In 1978, after leaving NBC, Kolade joined Cadbury Nigeria Plc. He rose through the ranks, eventually becoming chief executive, then chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, before retiring from that position in 2002.
Thereafter, he was appointed High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, a role in which he served until 2007.
Between 199and 2002, he lectured at Lagos Business School on Corporate Governance, Leadership, Human Resource Management.
After diplomatic service, he resumed academic and educational roles, including being pro-chancellor and chairman of the Governing Council of Pan-Atlantic University (formerly Pan-African University).
He is also chancellor of McPherson University, Ogun State.
He has been strongly associated with promoting integrity, good governance and ethical leadership.
The late business mogul founded the Christopher Kolade Foundation (CKF), 1997, focusing on education (especially girl-child), leadership and governance, theological education and inter-faith relations.
He is also associated with the Christopher Kolade Centre for Research in Leadership and Ethics (CKCRLE), an institution devoted to leadership/ethics research in Africa.
He chaired or was involved in organisations like Integrity Organisation Ltd, The Convention on Business Integrity Ltd and other bodies promoting honest governance.
Awards
In 2000, he was awarded the national honour Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
He received the Medal of the Order of St. Augustine from the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1981.
He is Lay Canon Emeritus of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Guildford, UK.
Honorary doctorate degrees, e.g. from McPherson University (2016) and University of Sierra Leone (1976).
He was president, Nigerian Institute of Management (1985-1988); president, Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (1988-1993); president, International Institute for Communications (1973-1975); and president, World Association for Christian Communication (1975-1982).
In 2015, he was honoured by the Nigerian Institute of Management with the title “Ambassador of Anti-corruption.”
Legacy
Integrity is perhaps the central value associated with Kolade. He is often referred to in media reports and by peers as “Mr. Integrity.”
Despite holding high positions, his reputation was for humility, restraint and a commitment to principle rather than personal gain.
He consistently emphasised the importance of education, leadership training and preparing younger generations to lead ethically.
One distinguishing feature of his life was how he excelled in a variety of fields, education, broadcasting, business management, diplomacy, academics and civil society, among others.
His leadership of NBC at a time when broadcasting shaped cultural and national identity in independent Nigeria meant that he played a role in how information, culture and public discourse were framed.
Under his stewardship at Cadbury Nigeria, and in his guidance in corporate governance roles, he helped set standards for how ethical, effective business leadership could look in Nigeria.
As High Commissioner to the UK, he represented Nigeria’s interests abroad, contributing to its diplomatic relationships.
His work with Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, and as chancellor of McPherson University fostered education and leadership in younger leaders, especially in corporate governance and ethics.
Through organisations he supported or chaired, such as the Christopher Kolade Foundation, and integrity organisations, his example and institutional contributions helped in promoting ethical public life in Nigeria.
Moving from colonial education systems and early Nigeria into post-independence broadcasting and business was likely challenging; Kolade navigated periods of political turmoil, changing media and corporate environments and demands for institutional reform.
Moving between sectors suggests strong learning ability, flexibility and a breadth of competence.
Deeply religious, committed to the Christian faith, yet also respectful of inter-faith relations.
Final years
He continued to be active in academic circles and in leadership and ethics well into his later years.
Dr. Kolade leaves a multi-faceted legacy. He was an icon of integrity and service across sectors.
Institutions bearing his influence, foundations, universities, ethics/leadership centres that will continue to influence public life.
He was a model for younger leaders and exemplified how to live with discipline, faith, humility and courage in public roles.
He made indelible contributions to shaping Nigerian media, corporate standards, education and diplomacy.
The post Christopher Kolade: Boardroom sage, diplomat, broadcaster bows out at 93 appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
