President Bola Tinubu, alongside other prominent Nigerians, has paid heartfelt homage to the late Dr. Christopher Kolade, a distinguished figure renowned for his leadership in business, public service, broadcasting, and education. They honored him as a paragon of dedication, integrity, and patriotism whose life set a benchmark for excellence.
Dr. Kolade was celebrated as an exceptional exemplar of ethical leadership, embodying the highest standards of public service and corporate responsibility.
In a personal condolence message issued on Thursday, President Tinubu expressed deep sorrow upon learning of Dr. Kolade’s demise, emphasizing that Nigeria has lost one of its most esteemed intellectual and moral leaders.
Passing away at 92 on Wednesday, Dr. Kolade’s legacy spans roles as a broadcaster, educator, diplomat, and corporate strategist. His service to Nigeria included appointments such as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). President Tinubu hailed him as “one of Nigeria’s intellectual gems and a guardian of the nation’s corporate heritage,” highlighting his significant impact on governance, human capital development, and leadership ethics.
“Dr. Kolade was among the most outstanding individuals-brilliant, statesmanlike, diligent, and of impeccable integrity,” the President remarked.
He further noted that Dr. Kolade was not only a titan in the boardroom, having served as CEO and chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, but also a devoted patriot and steadfast champion of transparency and accountability in governance.
The President lauded Dr. Kolade’s lifelong commitment to service in both public and private sectors, describing his career as a shining example of selfless leadership and moral fortitude during times when principles were often compromised.
Dr. Kolade’s influence was evident across diverse fields-from his early days as an educator, through his distinguished media career, to his diplomatic and managerial contributions that helped shape Nigeria’s development.
“He served Nigeria with unwavering honesty and dedication,” Tinubu added. “From his beginnings as a colonial-era education officer to his tenure as High Commissioner to the UK and Director-General of NBC, Dr. Kolade left an indelible mark in every role-whether in corporate boardrooms, advisory panels, or public office.”
The President also highlighted Dr. Kolade’s philanthropic efforts through the Christopher Kolade Foundation, particularly his passionate support for sickle cell patients and his dedication to advancing education and youth empowerment.
“I remember his numerous humanitarian initiatives via the Christopher Kolade Foundation, especially his generous contributions to sickle cell advocacy, a cause close to his heart,” Tinubu recalled.
While mourning the profound loss, President Tinubu encouraged Nigerians to honor Dr. Kolade’s life as one marked by dignity, purpose, and distinction.
“Though his passing is deeply painful, we must celebrate the remarkable legacy he leaves behind. His life was a testament to exceptional service to our nation and humanity,” he affirmed.
The President described Dr. Kolade as the embodiment of the ideal Nigerian-selfless, resilient, and principled-and assured that his legacy will inspire generations to come.
“He will continue to be a beacon of inspiration for us and future generations. May God, whom he served faithfully, grant him eternal peace,” President Tinubu concluded.
Similarly, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, expressed profound grief over Dr. Kolade’s passing, referring to him as “a towering figure in Nigeria’s limited cadre of public servants known for unblemished integrity.”
In a condolence message from London, Anyaoku mourned the loss of a distinguished diplomat, corporate leader, and statesman, emphasizing that Nigeria has lost one of its most principled and exemplary personalities in both public and private sectors.
“Christopher Kolade was a luminary in Nigeria’s broadcasting landscape and a consummate professional in the corporate world, where he notably led Cadbury Nigeria Plc with distinction as CEO and later as chairman,” Anyaoku stated.
He also praised Kolade’s lasting contributions, particularly his dignified and skillful representation of Nigeria as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Kolade: A Trailblazer in Corporate Leadership
When Dr. Christopher Kolade transitioned from broadcasting to the corporate sector in 1978 as Administration Director at Cadbury Nigeria Plc, few anticipated that he would revolutionize corporate leadership in Nigeria.
Within a short span, he rose to become managing director, CEO, and eventually chairman, steering the company through what many regard as its most prosperous period.
Kolade’s approach to leadership was marked not by arrogance or dominance but by quiet dignity that naturally commanded respect. While many saw the boardroom as a battleground for power struggles, he treated it as a forum for exchanging ideas. He was a careful listener, a thoughtful speaker, and when he spoke, his insights reflected profound wisdom and experience.
For him, leadership was rooted in trust rather than authority or intimidation. His steadfast commitment to fairness, discipline, and transparency transformed Cadbury into a model of corporate governance in an environment often marred by ethical lapses. Colleagues recall his defining question during critical decisions:
“Is this the right thing to do?”
This question was more than rhetorical; it served as his ethical compass. In Kolade’s philosophy, profit devoid of principle was a hollow victory.
Even after his distinguished tenure at Cadbury, Kolade’s influence permeated Nigeria’s corporate and governance sectors. Institutions that valued integrity and innovation sought his guidance-from Shell Nigeria to the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), and The Integrity Organisation. His involvement was always impactful, never ceremonial.
He engaged with boards not for status or benefits but to champion honesty, accountability, and mission-driven leadership-qualities he exemplified with remarkable humility.
Long before “corporate governance” became a popular term, Kolade was already a pioneer. As Chairman of The Integrity Organisation and The Convention on Business Integrity, he spearheaded initiatives that established ethical benchmarks for Nigerian businesses and reshaped the discourse on corporate morality.
As an educator, Kolade was deeply invested in nurturing future leaders. At Lagos Business School, he taught Corporate Governance and Human Resource Management; at the School of Media and Communication, he lectured on Leadership and Conflict Resolution-both institutions under Pan-Atlantic University, where he also served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council. Additionally, he was Chancellor of McPherson University in Ogun State.
Across all his roles-broadcaster, corporate executive, diplomat, and educator-Dr. Christopher Kolade stood as a beacon of integrity and excellence. His life was more than a series of accomplishments; it was a powerful testament to the transformative potential of principled leadership in a society yearning for it.
