By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life of former Nigerian Excessive Commissioner to the UK and one of many nation’s most revered elder statesmen, Dr. Christopher Kolade, who handed away on the age of 92.
His household introduced his loss of life in an announcement, saying: “We’re grateful for his unbelievable life of religion and repair, and are grateful for God’s plentiful blessings.”
Born on December 28, 1932, in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Dr. Kolade lived a life outlined by integrity, management, and excellence throughout broadcasting, diplomacy, academia, and the company world.
A son of an Anglican missionary, he attended Authorities Faculty, Ibadan, earlier than continuing to Fourah Bay Faculty in Freetown, Sierra Leone. His distinguished profession earned him honorary doctorates from the College of Sierra Leone (1976) and McPherson College (2016).
Dr. Kolade started his skilled journey in broadcasting and rose to turn into Director-Common of the Nigerian Broadcasting Company (NBC).
He later joined the company sector, the place he served as Chief Govt and Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, incomes widespread respect for his moral management.
His status for excellence led to his appointment as Nigeria’s Excessive Commissioner to the UK, a job he discharged with distinction.
After his diplomatic service, Dr. Kolade joined the Lagos Enterprise Faculty (LBS) as a lecturer in Company Governance and Human Useful resource Administration, and later taught Management and Battle Administration on the Faculty of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic College, Lagos, the place he additionally served as Professional-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council.
Past academia, he held management positions in skilled our bodies such because the Nigerian Institute of Administration, Institute of Personnel Administration of Nigeria, Worldwide Institute for Communications, and the World Affiliation for Christian Communication.
In recognition of his lifetime of service, Dr. Kolade obtained quite a few awards, together with the Order of St. Augustine Medal from the Archbishop of Canterbury. In 2012, he was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan as Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) Board.
A lifelong advocate of ethics and transparency, he additionally chaired Integrity Organisation Ltd GTE and The Conference on Enterprise Integrity Ltd GTE.
Tinubu mourns
Reacting to his loss of life, President Tinubu described Dr. Kolade as “one among Nigeria’s mental treasures” whose life embodied integrity, self-discipline, and selfless service.
In an announcement personally signed by him, the President mentioned he obtained the information “with profound unhappiness,” noting that the late diplomat’s contributions to nationwide improvement spanned training, company governance, diplomacy, and humanitarian service.
“Dr. Kolade, 92, was a custodian of our enterprise historical past, particularly in company governance and human useful resource administration. He was a principal determine in respected establishments just like the Lagos Enterprise Faculty,” Tinubu acknowledged.
He hailed Kolade as “among the many most interesting of males — exceptionally good, statesmanly, diligent, and with unimpeachable integrity.”
The President added that past his company and diplomatic achievements, Kolade was “a patriot and an uncompromising advocate of transparency and accountability in governance.”
“He served Nigeria dutifully, with honesty and nice dedication. From his days as a colonial-era training officer to his service as Nigeria’s Excessive Commissioner to the UK and as Director-Common of the NBC, Dr. Kolade left an indelible mark of distinction in each sphere — whether or not within the boardroom, public workplace, or academia,” Tinubu mentioned.
He additionally recalled Kolade’s humanitarian work via the Christopher Kolade Basis, significantly his help for sickle cell sufferers, to which he donated a good portion of his private earnings.
“Dr. Kolade’s passing is agonising, but we should have fun his extraordinary life and legacy. He lived an exemplary life and immortalised himself via unusual service to our nation and humanity,” Tinubu mentioned, praying that God Almighty grant his soul everlasting relaxation.
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