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  • Final Trumpet Call: Nigeria bids farewell to titan of integrity, Christopher Kolade

    Final Trumpet Call: Nigeria bids farewell to titan of integrity, Christopher Kolade

    In a world often deafened by noise, the departure of a quiet giant demands a moment of profound silence, punctuated only by the sounds of reverence. For Dr. Christopher Olusola Kolade, a man whose life was a symphony of service, faith and integrity, his final journey home began not with silence, but with a soaring, solemn melody. On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, the corporate titan, diplomat and moral compass for a nation, was escorted into history with the grace and dignity that defined his 92 years sojourn on earth. AFIONG EDEMUMUOH writes.

    The morning sun bathed Lagos Island in a gentle light as a scene from a bygone era unfolded at the entrance of St. Peter’s Church, Faji, Lagos Island. At 10:20 a.m., a white horse-drawn carriage, a symbol of purity, royalty and a serene goodbye, delivered its sacred cargo. Parked at the church gate, the hearse held a brown mahogany casket, adorned with gold embellishments, housing the remains of the revered doyen of the boardroom, business mogul, and perhaps the symbol of corporate Nigeria, Dr. Christopher Olusola Kolade.

    And as somber tunes distilled into the atmosphere from trumpeters who stood sentinel, producing sober, soothing tunes that wrapped the gathered crowd in a collective embrace of reflection, the pallbearers from The Ebony Funeral Home, decked in black suits, stood ready, a picture of solemn duty. It was indeed, a reflection of a people, a community, a nation, ready to pay her last homage to a man that changed the dynamics across every strata he planted the sole of his feet for a century less eight years.

    As guests and family members, a veritable roll-call of the country’s high and mighty, trooped into the historic church, soulful music played softly in the background, setting a tone of worshipful remembrance. The air was thick with a sense of occasion, not of mourning, but of a triumphant send-forth for a soldier of Christ who had finished his race.

    The funeral service commenced with clerical precision and spiritual depth at 11:00 a.m, following prayers by a procession of ministers. The Bishop of Lagos Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Ifedola Senasu Gabriel Okupevi, commenced proceedings with the “reception of the body.” As he read from the Psalms, the congregation responded in unison, their voices rising as the pallbearers carried the casket into the church and positioned it in the centre of the nave, a focal point for the celebration of a life well-lived.

    The timeless order of the Anglican service unfolded with a comforting rhythm. The congregation lifted their voices in the opening hymn, “O Lord My God,” before the scriptural readings commenced. A family member read from the book of Ecclesiastes, its poignant verses on a time for every season under heaven resonating deeply: “A time to be born and a time to die.”

    The epistle, taken from 2 Corinthians 5, spoke of the eternal dwelling in heaven, a building from God, not made with hands. The gradual hymn, “Servant of God, Well Done,” was a fitting and emotional tribute, its lyrics a direct address to a faithful steward entering his rest.

    The sermon, delivered by the Bishop of Ilesa Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dapo Folorunsho Asaju, was the spiritual centrepiece of the service. Titled: “The Essence of Life,” his message was both a theological anchor and a personal eulogy. He began by offering comfort to the family, assuring them that for a Christian, death is not an end but a “convocation and graduation.”

    “Many people are apprehensive about their lives after death,” Bishop Asaju stated, urging the congregation to think about the future with faith, not fear. He described the earth as a place of vanity, illustrating his point with the instructive story of Alexander the Great, who, on his deathbed, commanded that the best doctors carry his casket to illustrate that despite all worldly power, they could not save him from death.

    “When people are at peace with God, it shows on their countenance when they are about to die,” the Bishop noted, contrasting this with the troubled ends of those who reject God. “Your knowledge, your philosophy will not count when you stand before the judgement of God. Despite all the great positions you hold on earth, the conclusion of the whole matter is your end when you die.”

    He then turned his gaze directly to the life being celebrated. “It is certain that the deceased is in heaven because of the kind of life he led while alive,” he declared, a statement met with soft murmurs of agreement. He recalled a tender moment from the week before Dr. Kolade’s passing, where his wife, Beatrice, had lamented that she did not want him to go. The Bishop assured her she would not be left alone, comforted by Christ and the family.

    He held up Dr. Kolade as a “worthy role model,” whose life made everyone proud. In a moving shift, he lamented the poor state of the nation’s roads and prayed for leaders to rise to their responsibilities, urging them to emulate the deceased’s integrity. His closing exhortations were a blueprint for a life of impact: “know God genuinely, serve Him with all your resources, build a godly home, lay up treasures in heaven and leave a good legacy.”

    “Leave a good name. Be an ambassador of God on earth. Bring joy to people, help humanity, be the light of Christ. Don’t join them in stealing public funds,” he urged. Finally, he charged all to “finish well,” ensuring they die in Christ, as Dr. Kolade assuredly had.

    The service continued with the sacred mystery of the Holy Communion. The Processional Hymn, “I Vow to Thee, My Country,” echoed Dr. Kolade’s profound patriotism, while the Offertory Hymn, “In Christ Alone My Hope is Found,” affirmed the foundation of his faith. As the ministers administered the Eucharist, hymns like “The Strife is O’er, the Battle Done” and “Nearer, My God, to Thee” filled the church, a powerful soundtrack to the communal act of remembrance and hope.

    And the tributes flowed endlessly- not just in words, but in songs, for Dr. Kolade was a renowned lover of music. The former choristers of the Diocese gathered around his casket to render “O Jesus I Have Promised.” They were followed by the old boys of his alma mater, Government College, Ibadan, who surrounded their distinguished comrade one last time. The Erin Oke connection and the St. Peter’s Church Faji Christian Torch Bearers also paid their respects in songs, their voices weaving a tapestry of shared history and profound loss.

    The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Most Reverend Dr. Henry C. Ndukuba, then brought words of consolation on behalf of the entire church. “Dr. Kolade was indeed our very own,” he stated, tracing his roots to an Anglican missionary family in Erin Oke, a town in the Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State. He celebrated the late icon’s “lifelong dedication and service to humanity,” from his work as an education officer to his service as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

    “His impact on the church and his contribution to the body of Christ were significant,” the Primate affirmed, before pronouncing a blessing of eternal rest and glory upon his soul.

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    Bishop Okupevi returned to welcome the dignitaries and reinforce the message of hope. “We rejoice in the Lord for the life and times of our dear father, for the life that he has touched and for the heritage that he has left behind,” he said, directing a prayer of comfort to Dr. Kolade’s widow, Beatrice, and the entire family.

    The service drew to a close with the Recessional Hymn, “Sing Alleluia Forth in Duteous Praise.” As the ministers and choir filed out, the pallbearers once again shouldered their sacred burden. The trumpeters resumed their solemn melody, their notes guiding the casket out of the church and back into the white hearse at 1:50 p.m. The body was then accompanied on its final earthly journey to the Ebony Cemetery, where Dr. Christopher Kolade was committed to mother earth.

    The dignitaries present, a testament to his cross-generational influence, included former President Olusegun Obasanjo; wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Bola Obasanjo; former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and her husband, Akin Kekere-Ekun; Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election Mr. Peter Obi; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; the PDP Edo State governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo. Also present were the Director-General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze; MTN Nigeria Chairman Dr. Ernest Ndukwe; Channels Television Chairman, John Momoh, among others.

    They had come to honour a life of purpose and integrity; a man who, from his beginnings as the son of a missionary in Ido Faboro, Ekiti State, rose to the pinnacles of broadcasting as Director-General of the NBC, corporate leadership as Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria, diplomacy as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK, and education as a pillar of the Lagos Business School and Chancellor of McPherson University.

    But more than his titles, they celebrated his character. Dr. Kolade lived by the creed that “if you lose your integrity, you have lost everything.” He was a man who proved that competence and conscience are not mutually exclusive, but are the very essence of true leadership. As the last notes of the trumpet faded and the earth received its faithful servant, the legacy of Dr. Christopher Kolade remained a quiet, enduring melody of a life lived in service to God, country, and humanity. He ran well, he finished strong and his light, a beacon of unwavering integrity, will continue to shine.

    A Life of Purpose and Principle

    To understand the magnitude of the moment, one must look back at the man himself; a life lived in remarkable service and grace.

    Born on December 28, 1932, in Ido Faboro, Ekiti State, to Rev. A.O. Kolade, a missionary and educator, young Christopher grew up surrounded by discipline, faith, and a deep respect for education. These early foundations shaped a man who saw every position of influence as a platform for service.

    After earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone, in 1954, he began his career as an Education Officer before joining the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in 1960. By 1972, at just 40, he became Director-General, ushering in an era of ethical journalism and professional excellence.

    His mantra was simple: Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.

    That creed guided him through decades of public and private service—from his tenure as Managing Director and later Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, to his leadership at the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management.

    Dr. Kolade’s influence also extended to academia and faith. He served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council at Pan-Atlantic University, home of the Lagos Business School, where he taught Ethics and Leadership. His classes were known to blend wisdom with spirituality, inspiring students to lead with both head and heart.

    In 2002, President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, where he represented the nation with quiet authority and grace. A decade later, as Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), he once again demonstrated that public service could be clean, transparent, and impactful.

    Beyond the boardroom, Dr. Kolade’s faith found expression through the Convention on Business Integrity, Managing Business for Christ, and the Apostles in the Marketplace—platforms where he championed ethical leadership rooted in Christian values. He also founded the Christopher Kolade Foundation (CKF), focusing on education, leadership training, and the empowerment of young women in science and technology.

    The Man behind the Achievements

    To those who knew him personally, Kolade was not just a statesman but a mentor, a teacher, and a friend. His humility was legendary. He was known to treat everyone, from janitors to CEOs, with the same respect. His humour was gentle, his words deliberate, and his integrity unwavering.

    He was twice married, first to Nancy Omolabi Williams, with whom he had two sons, both of blessed memory and later, to Beatrice (née Ukogu), who remained his devoted companion until his passing. His life was one of simplicity and service, anchored in faith. As he often said, “When you are in a position of authority, you are there to serve people, not yourself.”

    A Legacy That Outlives a Lifetime

    Dr. Kolade’s journey ended as gracefully as he lived, without noise, vanity, or fear. His passing at 92 marked not just the end of a remarkable personal story, but the closing of an era defined by integrity, moral clarity, and public trust. From the newsroom to the boardroom, from the pulpit to the diplomatic hall, he remained unwavering; a man whose word was his bond.

    As the hearse slowly disappeared from sight, the solemn notes of the trumpets faded into the distance. Yet, for many, the melody of his life continues to echo a song of faith, discipline, and enduring light.

    It was, indeed, a farewell befitting a man of many parts, a final earthly salute to one whose life embodied grace and service. And when the heavens opened with a downpour as his body was to be laid to rest, many took it as a divine confirmation that Dr. Kolade’s soul departed bearing blessings and hope for the nation he so dearly loved. The rains, they said, were showers of blessings from a hero who lived and left with purpose.

  • Tinubu, Obasanjo, Okonjo-Iweala, others salute ‘man of integrity’ Kolade

    Tinubu, Obasanjo, Okonjo-Iweala, others salute ‘man of integrity’ Kolade

    • Leaders celebrate ex-boardroom titan, teacher at Night of Tributes in Lagos

    Torrents of tributes poured in  yesterday for ex-boardroom titan, diplomat and broadcaster, the late Dr Christopher Kolade.

     It was at the Service of Songs and Night of Tributes held in his honour at the Banquet Hall of the National Theatre, Lagos.

    The boardroom doyen died on October 8. He was born in Erin-Oke, Osun State in December 28, 1932. He was 92.

    President Bola Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala described Dr Kolade as a rare Nigerian who combined integrity, intellect, and service in both public and private life.

    The  leaders said the late High Commissioner’s character and contributions — spanning broadcasting, diplomacy, business, and education — left an enduring imprint on the nation’s moral and professional landscape.

    Represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the president said the late Kolade exemplified “dexterity, confidence, integrity, and diligence” throughout his life in both public and private sectors.

    Tinubu  said: “Few people have dignified both public service and private enterprise with the kind of qualities Dr. Christopher Kolade possessed in abundance.”

    He described Kolade as “a principal figure in Nigeria’s business world,” recalling his tenure as Managing Director and later, Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, as well as his time as Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation and Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

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    “Dr. Kolade served this country with distinction, leaving a legacy of achievement for those who came after him to live up to and exceed,” he said.

    The President also  hailed the late diplomat’s humanitarian efforts through the Christopher Kolade Foundation, especially its initiatives supporting people living with sickle cell disease.

    “We do not mourn Dr. Kolade because he lived a good life of service to God and country. Our grief stems from knowing that with his passing, our nation has lost the talents, experience, and courage of a peaceful, progressive, and passionate individual. For me, Dr. Kolade now belongs to the ages. May his memory be everlasting and a blessing to all those who came across him,” Tinubu said.

    Former President  Obasanjo, who shared personal memories of his long friendship with Dr. Kolade, described him as a man who embodied humility, intellect, and rare loyalty.

    He said: “Chris and I have come a long way. I don’t have too many friends, but the ones I have are real, very good friends, and Chris was one of them.”

    The former president recounted how he had to “beg and persuade” Kolade to accept the role of Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom during his administration, saying he wanted someone “whose integrity and calm disposition could repair and sustain Nigeria’s image abroad.”

    “I wanted somebody I could trust to represent Nigeria well. After much hesitation, he agreed — and he served with distinction.”

    Obasanjo, in his characteristic humour, shared anecdotes from their diplomatic interactions, including his collaboration with then-Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and how Kolade’s London office became a hub for Nigeria’s international engagements.

    He recalled visiting Kolade shortly before his passing: “When I went to see him, he said, ‘If I didn’t frighten you, would you have come?’ That was Chris — calm, witty, and full of life even till the end.”

    Joining the tributes virtually, Dr.  Okonjo-Iweala described Kolade as “a man of faith, integrity, and honesty; a shining example of how to serve with humility.”

    She said: “Uncle Chris was calm, dignified, and cerebral. His comportment, even in times of stress, was something we all wanted to emulate. He had the courage of his convictions and always stood by what he believed was right.”

    Recalling Kolade’s tenure as High Commissioner in London, Dr Okonjo-Iweala said he offered her strong support when she faced criticism as Finance Minister during reform implementation.

    “Uncle Chris defended the work our economic team was doing. Later, as the first chairman of our social safety net programme under President Goodluck Jonathan, he provided excellent leadership in helping communities cope with the phase-out of oil subsidies,” she said.

    Okonjo-Iweala added that her family and the late diplomat and his wife, Beatrice , were like one family: “They adopted me, followed my career, and cheered me on through good and bad times. I thank God for his life and the legacy he leaves behind.”

    Delivering the exhortation, Bishop Olubunmi Akinlade of the Anglican Diocese of Ife said Dr. Kolade’s life was a testimony of humility and service, urging all present to reflect on “what drives their lives.”

    He remembered the academic as a lover of music, who “taught him a lot of things about singing” and who would usually not sit with the dignitaries but with the practitioners of the art whenever his father had his Christmas parties.

    Rev Akinlade added: “Death is a perfect statistic — one in one will die. The question is: will we die like the righteous?”

    He called on the congregation to emulate Kolade’s faith and moral discipline, noting: “He wasn’t a perfect man, but he was a good man. Physical death is not the end of the story; it’s a stepping stone to another level.”

    The event was attended by dignitaries from across the country’s political, corporate, and religious circles, including Labour Party Presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi; Lagos State Governor  Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Chief Justice Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and her husband; the former Chairman of First Bank, Ibukun  Awosika, among others.

  • Hallmarks of Labour bids farewell to ex-broadcaster

    Hallmarks of Labour bids farewell to ex-broadcaster

    The Board of Trustees & Management of Hallmarks of Labour Foundation has condoled with the family of its Chairman, Dr. Christopher Kolade and the countless lives he touched.

    In a statement by Chief Patricia Otuendon-Arawore, the Foundation said the late Dr Kolade was a pillar of integrity and a corporate giant.

    The statement reads: “The global community dedicated to promoting excellence and integrity and the Nigerian nation at large, is mourning the loss of a true giant, His Excellency, Dr. Christopher Kolade, CON, who passed on peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at the age of 92.

    “Beyond his various roles as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, veteran broadcaster, and industry captain, he was the exemplary embodiment of the values championed by the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation (HLF), where he served with distinction successively as Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Indeed, his death marks the end of an era for the Foundation.

    “Dr. Kolade’s association with the HLF was a natural convergence of purpose, as his multi-faceted career — spanning decades in education, broadcasting, diplomacy, and corporate governance — was a living testament to the principles of integrity, hard work, excellence and selfless service that the Foundation seeks to celebrate and institutionalise.

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    “’A good example can become infectious so that we all strive to attain more of the same. Excellence is on the horizon. Our job is to travel towards it’; Dr. Kolade once said – an expression that captures his philosophy and contributions to the Foundation’s mission.

    “Dr. Kolade’s distinguished career trajectory serves as a reference point for young Nigerians.

    The Voice Of Integrity: As the Director-General of the then Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) – the fore-runner to today’s Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria/Radio Nigeria & Nigerian Television Authority/NTA — he helped shape the early landscape of Nigerian electronic media, setting standards for ethical journalism.

    “As Chief Executive and later Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria PLC, he was widely credited for institutionalising systems for human capacity development and, crucially, for pioneering the drive for business integrity in Nigeria — a cause he continued to champion through such solid platforms as The Convention on Business Integrity.

    “As the records confirm, his tenure as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom further demonstrated his strong commitment to national service on the global stage.

    “Up to his later years, he remained dedicated to teaching Corporate Governance and Leadership at tertiary institutions like the Lagos Business School and Pan-Atlantic University, ensuring his wealth of knowledge was transferred to the next generation of leaders. His exemplary life validated the Foundation’s premise that sterling character and professional excellence are indeed achievable and sustainable in Nigeria.

    “The Hallmarks of Labour Foundation’s work in documenting and celebrating Nigerian role models, including the iconic Hallmarks of Labour book series, was profoundly guided by Dr. Kolade’s insight and moral compass. His leadership ensured that the Foundation’s awards remained the gold standard for recognising merit and ethical conduct.

    “Dr. Christopher Kolade’s legacy is not just etched in the records of national history, but in the heart of every Nigerian who strives for excellence and integrity. He was, and will remain, a Hallmarks of Labour role model par excellence.

    “The Foundation extends its deepest condolences to the Kolade Family and the countless lives he touched. While we mourn his loss, we pledge to honour his memory by sustaining our efforts to promote the values he lived and breathed. May his noble soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”

  • Christopher Kolade lived three lifetimes

    Christopher Kolade lived three lifetimes

    • By Kehinde Nubi

    There are lives that flicker briefly like candles and others that burn steadily like lamps. And then there are lives that are rare and luminous, that shine across generations – lives that inspire. Dr Christopher Olusola Kolade, who died on October 8, aged 92, belonged to that rare class. He lived not one, but three lifetimes in one body – as a broadcaster of repute, a corporate titan of uncommon integrity, and a diplomat who carried Nigeria’s moral dignity on his shoulders.

    Kolade’s education at Government College, Ibadan, and Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone definitely shaped his disciplined intellect and moral resolve. He belonged to a generation of Nigerians who saw excellence as duty – men and women for whom success did not make sense without integrity.

    Kolade’s first lifetime was in broadcasting – a profession that, in his hands, became both art and ministry. As Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), he stood for truth in an era when propaganda could easily have been the order of the day. To him, the airwaves were a sacred trust, and every word transmitted carried moral weight.

    Under his leadership, NBC became more than a news outlet; it became an institution that, even as a young person, I could identify with. He was meticulous about ethics, insisting on balance, accuracy, and fairness, thereby earning the listener’s trust. I remember that back then, we never doubted news we heard on NBC. Some of us would understand what I mean by this. For those who do not, it suffices to say that there was a time in this country when we saw government news agencies as mere propaganda outfits. Kolade was not loud or flamboyant, yet we all knew him. He had a quiet presence, and for him, apparently, broadcasting was not just a job; it was his calling.

    Now, who could have imagined that after leaving his footprints on the sands of broadcasting, a new lifetime in corporate governance would unfold? Kolade’s second lifetime unfolded in the corporate world. When he joined Cadbury Nigeria Plc, he became the first indigenous managing director/chief executive of the company.  He brought with him the moral clarity and candour that had defined his broadcasting career. As a testimony to his qualitative leadership qualities, he ended up becoming the chairman of the company, transforming it into a model organisation.

    In an age when success often came at the cost of character, Kolade proved that integrity and efficiency could coexist. His life, a living example, resonates with that of men like Akintola Williams, Nigeria’s first chartered accountant and lifelong ambassador of honesty in business. He reminds us of the disciplined entrepreneurship of Chief Subomi Balogun, founder of FCMB. 

    Read Also: Tinubu mourns Christopher Kolade, describes him as “one of Nigeria’s intellectual treasures”

    Apparently, in his worldview, leadership was stewardship, not privilege. To lead was to serve and to uplift, and to leave behind an ethical footprint. He saw business as a moral enterprise.

    Yet again, when one would have thought that there was nothing more to achieve, Kolade’s third lifetime took him beyond boardrooms to the corridors of diplomacy. He was appointed Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and carried with him the moral authority that Nigeria desperately needed.

    This was at a time when the country’s international image was tarnished by corruption and cynicism. Kolade’s presence at diplomatic gatherings was itself a sermon. He did not need to raise his voice or wield influence; his mere comportment spoke of honesty, grace, and competence. He was Nigeria’s moral ambassador long before his official posting. He had a quiet dignity, spoke authoritatively, and represented the nation’s best values. For him, diplomacy was an extension of moral duty rather than political manoeuvres.

    He was the kind of envoy who reminded the world that Nigeria’s soul was not lost, and that beneath the noise and failures of politics, there are still decent men and women.

    Who are these men and women I am talking about? I am looking at men like Deacon Gamaliel Onosode, the boardroom guru – Mr Integrity himself; Justice Kayode Eso and Justice Chukwudifu Oputa – whose judgements combined jurisprudence with conscience; Prof. Dora Akunyili, who risked her life to save millions from counterfeit drugs; Cardinal Anthony Okogie and Bishop Matthew Kukah, whose prophetic voices speak truth to power. Kolade’s life, like theirs, reproaches cynicism, reminding us that goodness, though often silent, would never go out of fashion.

    To speak of Kolade is to speak of a vanishing breed of men and women who believe that honour is not negotiable. These are people who embody a standard of conduct that has become painfully rare – the quiet courage to do what is right even when no one is watching.

    Kolade was one man who led with conscience, and treated power as responsibility; a man who held authority without arrogance, achieved success without scandal, and earned respect without force.

    When I heard of Dr Kolade’s passing, I felt a personal loss – not because I knew him one-on-one, but because he had shaped my understanding of what it means to live with integrity. I saw him only once, and that was as an impressionable secondary school student, and it was not as if I interacted directly with him. It was a matter of a star-struck secondary school student seeing a larger-than-life character in flesh and blood – at least, that is how it seemed to me. I never forgot, and yet, that brief encounter left a mark that time could not erase.

    Along with men like Gamaliel Onosode, he taught me – without words – that true greatness is quiet, disciplined, and deeply moral. Their bearing, their speech, their restraint – all spoke of a different Nigeria, one that measured men not by noise but by integrity.

    In a world now dominated by corruption, flamboyance and self-aggrandisement, Christopher Olusola Kolade stood tall amid the razzmatazz. He was the bridge between ethics and excellence, humility and high achievement. He did not merely live three lifetimes – he enriched ours. He was, in every sense, an exemplar of what it means to be human.

    Kolade’s life reminds us that greatness is not in the noise of achievement but in the quiet dignity of purpose. My impression of him is that, in every sense of the word, he was a quintessential man.

    • Nubi is a Lagos-based lawyer, and commentator on public affairs.
  • Christopher Kolade (1932 – 2025)

    Christopher Kolade (1932 – 2025)

    Remarkably, he was a respected public figure whose name was a byword for integrity, professionalism and civility. A man of many parts, Dr Christopher Kolade consistently demonstrated and promoted these values.  His death on October 8, aged 92, highlighted his enduring virtues. Whether as a teacher, broadcaster, administrator, boardroom giant, diplomat, academic or public servant, he exemplified those virtues.

    He was born in Erin-Oke, in present-day Osun State.  After his education at Government College, Ibadan, and Fourah Bay College, Freetown, Sierra Leone, he worked as an education officer in Nigeria during the colonial era.

    He later entered broadcasting, and rose to the position of director-general of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in a media career that spanned 18 years, from 1960 to 1978.

    His time at Cadbury Nigeria Plc, a food, sweets and drink company, where he was managing director/chief executive officer and later chairman, showed that his media success was no fluke. The period is regarded as a golden era of the company.

    A champion of good corporate governance, he shared his knowledge and experience with students at Lagos Business School where he taught Corporate Governance, Leadership and Human Resources Management, initially from 1995 to 2002.

    When he served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2002 to 2007, it was yet another terrain for him. He was no less successful as a diplomat. The country benefitted from his image as a man of integrity.

    Interestingly, he returned to teaching at Lagos Business School after his ambassadorial stint. He was quoted as saying, “I love to teach and if it is one more person I can convert to my way of thinking, then it would be well worth it.”

    The Christopher Kolade Foundation (CKF), which he founded in 1997, focuses on education, particularly girl-child education (specifically science, technology, engineering, mathematics, music and agriculture), leadership and governance education, Christian and theological education and education in inter-faith relations. It is a commendable approach to giving back to society.

    It was a reflection of his role in education that he became pro-chancellor and chairman of the Governing Council of Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, and chancellor of McPherson University, Ogun State.  The Christopher Kolade Centre for Research in Leadership and Ethics (CKCRLE), at Lagos Business School, bears his name “in recognition of his unwavering commitment to leadership, ethics and education.”

    Professionally, he was a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters, the Nigerian Institute of Management, where he was president from 1985 to 1988, and the Institute of Personnel Management in Nigeria, where he served as president from 1988 to 1993.

    Read Also: Renaming Nigeria

    He also promoted business integrity in Nigeria through his chairmanship of Integrity Organisation Ltd GTE and The Convention on Business Integrity Ltd GTE.

    His sense of integrity was driven by his religious conviction. “Many people,” he said, “would avoid doing certain things if they think they would be caught or if those things were to be in the open. That is precisely the point with me. I believe everything is in the open with God.”

     In 2000, he deservedly received the Nigerian national honour, Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), for his contributions to the development of the country.

    His badge of integrity earned him an appointment as chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme Board, in January 2012, under the President Goodluck Jonathan administration. He resigned in 2013 as he approached his 81st birthday, saying, “I am now old and I need to wind down some activities that take some of my energy.”

    His thought on leadership remains relevant as Nigeria struggles to find the right leaders to drive development. “Leadership is a responsibility,” he said. “And unless you are carrying out that responsibility, you are failing as a leader. Unless you know your responsibility and achieve the result expected from your leadership, you are a failure.”

  • How Christopher Kolade touched our lives, by associates, mentees

    How Christopher Kolade touched our lives, by associates, mentees

    • As Cadbury chairman, he was my choirmaster – Vicar
    • ‘We called him CK; he wasn’t crazy about titles’

    For the renowned elder and statesman, Dr Christopher Kolade, who passed on last Wednesday at age 93, even in death, his image looms larger than life. His long-standing friends and associates, who worked with him both in secular life and the religious circuit, have continued to shower encomiums on him as they relive their memorable relationship and precious encounters with him, reports IBRAHIM APEKHADE YUSUF

    He expected nothing but the best!’

     Dr Victor Oladokun, former Senior Advisor to the President of the African Development Bank Group, Akinwunmi Adesina, also worked with Dr Kolade at Cadbury Nigeria Limited. In his tribute, which the reporter culled from his LinkedIn wall, the corporate communications guru and former international broadcaster recalled how Kolade impacted his career.

     He said, “Dr Kolade (‘CK’as we named him) was an extraordinary and visionary CEO; a man of exceptional integrity; and a passionate and talented organist … a skill he put to good use for decades, in the service of his church in Ikeja, Lagos.

     “I had the privilege of serving under CK at Cadbury in several managerial positions. First, as Publications Manager, Media Relations Manager, and later on, as Public Relations Manager.

     “CK was the quintessential communicator. His diction was exquisite. He had a way with words that probably only someone like Wole Soyinka could compete with. Long before Google, smartphones or ChatGPT, CK expected nothing but the best from his Comms team.

     “I remember being called into his office one morning. Across his desk was my draft of an urgent corporate media release covered in red ink. He went straight to the point. ‘Victor, what are you trying to say here?’ I explained. Looking me straight in the eye, and without skipping a beat, he responded, ‘Now, go back to your office, and write it just like you’ve explained.’ I thanked him and as I reached for the door, he added, ‘By the way, cut out the big words. Keep it short and simple.’ I am truly grateful for the privilege of serving alongside him.

     “Last year, I visited with CK in the company of his adopted daughter, Mosunmola Umoru and his longtime Executive Assistant, Yewande Karunwi. And what a reunion it was. As usual, CK was sharp of wit, profuse and funny with several personal reminiscences.

     “A former DG of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, CEO and Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria, Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Pan-African University; and a thought leader of great repute, Dr Kolade remains one of the iconic greats of the Nigerian public and private sector today.

     “Ambassador Christopher Kolade was a national treasure and a rare and highly distinguished Nigerian. CK, you will be greatly missed. R.I.P. eternal.”

    ‘We called him CK; he wasn’t  crazy about titles’

     Dr Chido Benedict Nwakanma, a communication strategist and media scholar who worked with Dr Christopher Kolade, whilst the latter was at Cadbury Nigeria Plc, shared some insights about his persona.

     He said, “My first thought on the passing of Dr Christopher Kolade was gratitude. Gratitude for his longevity. Gratitude for his contributions and gratitude for his impactful life. CK, as Dr Christopher Kolade was fondly called, gave of himself wholeheartedly.

     “I met Dr Kolade at the last stage of my interview to join Cadbury Nigeria in 1990. He was friendly yet asked tough questions. He engaged me in a conversation on suit styles. All smiles, but the question was profoundly about dressing and protocol. CK’s primary contribution at Cadbury was developing the human capital and strategy.

     “He floated the Cadbury Award for Excellence. He caused a change in the use of titles. Instead of titles that change with each promotion, he pushed for the use of people’s initials. So I became CBN in Cadbury style, coined from my name, Chido Benedict Nwakanma. I didn’t have to change it when I moved from Corporate Affairs to Sales & Marketing.

     “He was an encourager and yet a disciplinarian. He was the boss who made his points by carefully chosen and spoken words, modulated with telling impact as a thespian. Dr Kolade pioneered broadcasting on the frequency-modulated wave band in Nigeria. He introduced FM radio at Radio Nigeria 2.”

    ‘He was a supportive boss’

     Emeka Oparah, a corporate communications professional, also worked at close quarters with the late Dr Kolade at Cadbury Nigeria. In a Facebook post titled, ‘You need supportive bosses to blossom in your career’ published four years ago, Oparah, who is the Group Vice President, Corporate Communication & CSR, Airtel Africa, spoke enthusiastically about his former boss.

     He said, “I just remembered 1996 or so, at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Broad Street, Lagos. I was then a middle Manager, actually Media Relations Manager at Cadbury Nigeria Plc, a position I took over from Chido Nwakanma and left for Akin Fadeyi.

     “We had gone to the NSE for the Facts Behind the Figures, an eponymously named annual event where quoted companies explained the facts behind the figures they have published in their annual reports.

     “Dr Christopher Kolade (CK), the Executive Chairman, as usual, dazzled the city with his masterful presentation. After the Q&A session and closing ceremonies, he made to leave through the back door, but he was ‘waylaid’ by Capital Market Correspondents.

     “I was watching my Chairman from a distance. My boss, Kevin Ejiofor, had told me I would have to deal with the media on my own. Apparently, he thought I had matured enough to handle that.

     “So I started making my way to the exit to assist Dr Kolade. As I got closer, I heard him say to the journalists, “You see, gentlemen, my boss is not here. You know Emeka (pointing at me)? I’m going to wait right here until he comes to tell me what to say.” That made my day!

     “My dear friends, that’s the stuff careers are made of. He made the journalists know I’m important, even calling me his boss. And yes, I was his boss when it came to Media Relations.

     “This, friends, is called empowerment. He told the media there and then how important my job was and, indeed, how important I was. What question could Kolade not answer, but he was following the company’s Media Policy, which stated that no one, repeat no one, could speak to the media behind me or without my say so.

     “I will never forget that experience which, in the most part, has influenced the way I did my work over the years-with my bosses and my subordinates. I let them do their job without any hindrance.

     “Today, even when I’m at an event, the Head of PR, Erhumu Bayagbon, is the one who engages the media. Some journalists wonder why I refer them to my Head of PR, but that’s his job. He must do his job. He must build and grow his influence. He must be empowered to do so.

     “If you want to get the best out of your people, clearly define their job roles and rewards and consequences. Ensure they understand them. Equip them (tools and training) well for the job and empower them to do it. Then and only then can you hold them accountable. And trust me, they will serve you like loyal servants, knowing the rewards and honours due them will be justly theirs.

     “My eight years in Cadbury, 1994-2002, were truly a blessing. I’ll never forget, regardless of some disappointments, which mercifully later turned out to be blessings. Almost everything I know in Communication and Management came from Cadbury. Airtel Nigeria (by whatever name called) gave me the wings to fly! I’m thankful. Otitodirichukwu.”

    ‘He’s integrity personified’

     Prof Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), senior lawyer, author, and Professor of Corporate Governance, equally shared fond memories of the deceased.

     In his glowing tribute to Dr Kolade, Prof. Ajogwu said he was a father figure who was “Integrity Personified.”

     He said, “A great Iroko has indeed fallen. With the passing of Dr Christopher Kolade, our nation has lost an institution, a vast human library whose volumes were written with integrity, wisdom, and a solid moral compass.

     “He was the custodian of ethics and corporate governance, a title he did not merely hold but lived with every fibre of his being. In the boardrooms of corporate Nigeria and the halls of public service, his voice was a steady, resonant call for principle over profit, character over convenience, and service above self. At the Lagos Business School, he was a teacher who taught not just with words, but by the impeccable example of his life.

     “Dr Kolade was a bridge-builder, the connection between the East and West, a father figure, and a lighthouse guiding generations away from the rocky shores of moral compromise. His legacy is not only in the institutions he led, such as the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria, Pan-Atlantic University and others, or the policies he shaped, but in the countless lives he mentored and the high standard he forced us all to see as attainable even whilst serving as the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

     “He was a diplomat in the truest sense, building bridges of trust and respect for our nation where they were most needed…Though the great Iroko has fallen, the forest he nurtured, the seeds of integrity, professionalism, and faith he planted, will stand for generations to come. Dr Kolade was a life of profound impact, beautifully lived. I have lost an elderly friend. May his gentle soul find perfect rest in the arms of the Almighty. Requiscat in pace.” 

    ‘LBS rode on Kolade’s credibility’

     Professor Bongo Adi, a distinguished Professor of Economics at the Lagos Business School (LBS), Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, had a working relationship with the late Dr Kolade while he served as the Chancellor of the varsity.

     He said, “Dr Christopher Kolade was our Chancellor. I actually worked with him very closely. We worked together on a case. We wrote the case on Cadbury, you know, he was also the CEO of Cadbury at some point. We interviewed him. I spoke with him a number of times. We also set up the Christopher Kolade Centre for Ethics and Leadership at the LBS. So, this is a man who was dedicated to ethical principles in organisations. He raised the bar when it came to governance issues in Nigeria’s private sector.  When you talk about credibility, institutional probity, integrity, transparency, and, you know, due diligence process, I think you are talking about Dr Christopher Kolade.

     In fact, he was one of those who gave LBS the credibility that it enjoys even to this day. So, he was one of the earliest LBS leaders within that community, and the governance centre, where LBS operated, you know, he was setting the highest level of standards.  So, I mean, he would be truly missed.”

    ‘A man of excellence and integrity’

     Hilda Nkor, Principal Consultant/CEO, HNC Professional Service Limited,  worked under the late Dr Kolade at the Society for Corporate Governance of Nigeria.

    She said, “I had a working relationship with Dr Christopher Kolade. I have known him for a very long time. I worked under him in 2002. He was the pioneer President/Chairman Board of Trustees at the Society for Corporate Governance of Nigeria, where I worked, and I had to report to the Board directly. Of course, that brought me in very close proximity to him.

    “Even after he left as the Chairman because he served for about five years in that role, we maintained a very close relationship. He was there as a mentor, as a father and as a guardian as well. So, he was always ready to give advice as regards work, and all of that. We had a very good relationship. Dr Kolade was a God-fearing man and a very principled individual. A man of integrity, who will never compromise his standards, and he believes in telling the truth, no matter at whose expense. He was a very compassionate human being, a kind person and a father to all.

    Read Also: Nigeria’s mining sector records decade of growth – Alake

    He would never impose his views on you. But he would make you know why you should consider his opinion. So, Dr Kolade for me was a one-in-a-million kind of person. As such, I consider it a privilege to have known and associated with him. He was really a great man, and he will be sorely missed.

    “I remembered when he took up the role at the Nigeria Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), I went to the house to quarrel with him as to why he took up such a job, and he said, ‘Listen, Hilda, we all cannot continue to complain from the sidelines; let me go in there and contribute my quota. If they accept me, fine and if they don’t accept me, no problem, but I would have made an effort, I would have tried.’ So this is one lesson I took from him.”

     ‘An extraordinary Nigerian who excelled in every assignment’ 

    Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), in his tribute to Dr Kolade, shared interesting insight on his foray in the diplomatic circuit.

    He said, “Though I didn’t have the privilege of associating with him on a personal note, I have watched him from a very close range and followed his activities from his broadcast years to his diplomatic years and then to the boardroom.

    “Dr Christopher Kolade served Nigeria meritoriously by wearing many caps. He was at one point a distinguished diplomat who served as Nigeria’s ambassador to the United Kingdom. He did so at a time when Nigeria needed a lot of traction, not just in the UK, but also in Europe, and he was a strong voice in that regard. For people like him, the difference is made by diplomats who know their onions, and so it was with Dr Kolade. But what distinguished him was the several caps he wore. He was a veteran broadcaster, as the Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), and he was a reverend gentleman. He was a business guru in every sense because he also chaired the boards of several companies and so on.

    “He was just an extraordinary Nigerian. I think that these kinds of people inspire us so much as icons, and as people who have things we can emulate.

    “For me, I believe Nigerians can draw immense lessons from his versatility because he brought to every sphere of engagement that spirit. Whatever calling he finds himself whether as a diplomat, broadcaster, boardroom guru and as a reverend gentleman, indeed, the elements were so mixed with him as William Shakespeare would say, and they would say of him, ‘This was the man!’”

  • Diplomat, business icon, media mogul Kolade dies at 92

    Diplomat, business icon, media mogul Kolade dies at 92

    • Tinubu, Abbas, Sanwo-Olu, Adeleke, Obi mourn man of integrity

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led prominent Nigerians who expressed deep sorrow on the passing of veteran broadcaster, business icon and former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom(U.K.), Dr Christopher Kolade.

    Others who reacted yesterday to the elder statesman’s death were House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas; Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu(Lagos),   Ademola Adeleke(Osun), and Labour Party’s Presidential candiadate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi.

    Kolade’s family announced the passing of the boardroom guru, art and culture enthusiast, in a statement yesterday. 

    The family said the late former Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria died peacefully on Wednesday at 92.

    “We are thankful for his incredible life of faith and service, and are grateful for God’s abundant blessings,” the statement read in part.

    Born on December 28, 1932, in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Kolade was the son of an Anglican missionary. He attended Government College, Ibadan, before proceeding to Fourah Bay College in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where he completed his higher education.

    Kolade began his career in broadcasting, eventually rising to the position of Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).

    He later became Chief Executive and Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, where he was widely recognised for his ethical leadership and corporate reforms.

    Kolade taught Corporate Governance and Human Resources Management at the Lagos Business School and Leadership & Conflict Management at the School of Media & Communication, both part of Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.

    Kolade, a former member of the university’s Governing Council, also served as its Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, and was later Chancellor of McPherson University, Ogun State.

    In a heartfelt tribute, Tinubu described Kolade as “one of Nigeria’s intellectual treasures” and a symbol of integrity, patriotism, and selfless service.

    According to the President, the Osun State-born elder statesman was  “an inimitable figure in Nigeria’s enterprise history” and a towering personality in both the public and private sectors.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Ex-envoy Christopher Kolade dies at 92

    “Dr Kolade was a custodian of our enterprise history, especially concerning corporate governance and human resources management. He was a principal figure in reputable institutions like the Lagos Business School,”  the  President said.

    He also  described  him  as “among the finest of men—exceptionally brilliant, statesmanly, diligent, and with unimpeachable integrity.”

      Tinubu said Kolade’s  contributions to governance and leadership training were “foundational to the evolution of modern corporate ethics in Nigeria.”

    “He was not only a boardroom icon but also a patriot and an uncompromising advocate of transparency and accountability in governance,”   noted.

    The tribute further highlighted Kolade’s distinguished service record, from his early career as a colonial-era education officer to his later roles as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the U.K.

    “Dr Kolade served Nigeria dutifully, with honesty and great dedication. He left ineffaceable stamps of distinction in every endeavour—whether in the boardroom, on national panels, or in public office”, Tinubu said.

    The President also commended Kolade’s philanthropic legacy through the Christopher Kolade Foundation, especially his long-standing support for sickle cell patients.

    “He donated a chunk of his earnings to that noble cause, reflecting his compassion and devotion to humanity,” Tinubu recalled.

    While describing his passing as “agonising,”  the President said the late elder statesman’s life should be celebrated for his enduring impact and inspiration.

    “Dr Kolade lived an exemplary life and immortalised himself through his uncommon service to our nation and humanity. He will remain an inspiration for us and for many generations. He was the representation of the true Nigerian—selfless and resilient,” the President stated.

    He prayed for the repose of his soul and for comfort to his family, colleagues, and the many institutions shaped by his leadership.

    Speaker Abbas described Kolade as one of Nigeria’s finest technocrats, boardroom gurus and ace broadcasters. 

    ‘’He was one of the titans of Nigeria’s corporate world,’’ the speaker said in a. 

      condolence message  issued by  his Chief Press Secretary, Leke Olatunji Baiyewu, 

     “The likes of Dr Christopher Kolade are not many, especially in the private sector. He was an egghead in business and management, a core professional in the corporate world. He was exceptional in his career that spanned several decades,” Abbas.

    While commiserating with the Kolade family, the Speaker said the corporate titan would be remembered for his contributions to the development of the country in various capacities.

     In Lagos,   Sanwo-Olu described the death as a colossal loss to the country and an irreplaceable loss to his family, friends and associates.

      Sanwo-Olu said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity,  Gboyega Akosile, that  Kolade’s passing is the end of an era.

    He said: “On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Lagos State, we celebrate the departure of a legend and celebrated doyen of the boardroom and former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, who made a positive impact during his lifetime.

    “The legacy of Dr Christopher Kolade cannot be forgotten because of the remarkable impact he made during his lifetime and his extraordinary life of service to humanity, his community, the private and public sectors, locally and internationally.

    “We thank God for Dr Kolade’s incredible life of faith and service to humanity and our dear country. He served passionately with integrity and honour. He was indeed a blessing to his generation, and the best memory for him is for those he left behind to uphold his good virtues.’’

     Sanwo-Olu’s counterpart in Osun State,  Adeleke, said that Nigeria has lost one of its best.

    Expressing his deep pain over the death of the one-time veteran, the governor said that Kolade’s life was marked by excellence and untainted integrity.

    Adeleke commiserated  with the family of the nonagenarian and the people of Erin-Oke, who have lost an illustrious son.’’

    He said, “The news of the death of Dr Christopher Kolade came as a rude shock to me. This is because he passed away at a time when his vast and valuable experience, wisdom and guidance were much needed in navigating challenges confronting governance in Osun State and beyond.

    “Throughout his life, Dr Kolade made integrity his watchword in all his dealings, and his commitment to excellence attracted people from far and near. As a public officer, he never used public office for personal benefits, and as a businessman, he championed integrity through his chairmanship of organisations such as Integrity Organisation Ltd GTE and The Convention on Business Integrity Ltd GTE.

    “As much as his passing represents a huge loss, I ask that everyone touched by this incident be consoled by the life of services and contributions that defined Dr Kolade’s time on Earth, and to also work to preserve his good legacy to keep him in the minds of the people forever.”

     Obi said in a statement on his X handle that he was deeply pained that the elder statesman passed at a time Nigeria was ‘’ in dire need of honest and principled leadership.’’

     ‘’His passing reminds us of the values we must reclaim to rebuild Nigeria,’’ said the former governor of Anambra State.

    He described Kolade as ‘’ a distinguished elder statesman, diplomat, and exemplary public servant whose life embodied integrity, discipline, and ethical leadership.’’

    Obi added that through remarkable service in business and diplomacy, Kolade  “set enduring standards of professionalism and character that continue to inspire generations.”

  • Kolade: A life of integrity, service and excellence

    Kolade: A life of integrity, service and excellence

    Dr Christopher Olusola Kolade, often called “Mr Integrity,” passed away at the age of 92 on Wednesday. He was a teacher, broadcaster, corporate leader, diplomat, mentor, and moral compass.

    Kolade’s life tells a story of character, courage, and unshakeable commitment to service.

    Formative years

    Born in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Kolade was raised in a home steeped in faith and discipline.   From an early age, books, values and purpose defined him.

    In the mid-1950s and as a young education officer under colonial rule, he taught and helped build the foundations of Nigeria’s educational system. That quiet beginning—rooted in discipline and service—foreshadowed the life of impact to come.

    Voice of a nation

    When Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960, the country needed not only leaders but voices. Kolade joined the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in the early 1960s and rose steadily to become its Director-General from 1972 to 1977.

    Those were turbulent years, yet under his leadership, broadcasting in Nigeria sought dignity, balance, and national coherence. He was not merely an administrator but a craftsman of public trust, shaping programming, mentoring broadcasters, and insisting that the airwaves serve the nation’s unity.

    His calm authority, clarity of judgment, and moral steadiness became part of NBC’s institutional DNA.

    Corporate leadership

    In 1978, Kolade made a remarkable transition—from public broadcasting to the corporate world—joining Cadbury Nigeria Plc. There, he rose through the executive ranks to become Chief Executive and later Chairman of the Board.

    His tenure remains a reference point for principled corporate leadership in Nigeria. He demonstrated that profit and ethics could coexist, and that accountability could thrive even in difficult times.

    Colleagues recall his refusal to compromise integrity for expedience—a man for whom the right way mattered as much as the successful way.

    Beyond Cadbury, he championed good governance across the private sector. He chaired the Convention on Business Integrity and other organisations devoted to transparency and accountability. His service as President of both the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Institute of Personnel Management further strengthened his reputation as a moral steward of the nation’s institutions.

    Diplomat and builder of minds

    In March 2002, the then-President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed Kolade as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

     For five years, he represented the nation with quiet grace, bridging cultures, deepening trade ties, and restoring dignity to Nigeria’s diplomatic image.

    After his return, Kolade turned more deliberately to teaching and mentorship. From 1995 onward, he taught courses in Leadership, Corporate Governance, and Conflict Management at the Lagos Business School and the School of Media and Communication—both under the Pan-Atlantic University umbrella.

    In 2009, he was appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University’s Governing Council, and later served as Chancellor of McPherson University, Ogun State. Through these roles, he invested not only in structures but in minds. He believed education was the “long game”—a means to nurture generations of leaders who would place integrity above ambition.

    Faith, character, and legacy

    What defined Christopher Kolade most enduringly was his character. Across the decades, he was described as humble, gracious, and remarkably consistent. Even in advanced age, he remained dignified, modest, and uncorrupted by acclaim.

    A devout Christian, he was Lay Canon Emeritus of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Guildford, and a recipient of the Order of St. Augustine medal from the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1981.

    His faith found expression in service: through the Christopher Kolade Foundation and the Christopher Kolade Centre for Research in Leadership & Ethics (CKCRLE), where he advanced education, youth development and public ethics.

    He received the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2000 and held honorary degrees from the University of Sierra Leone and McPherson University.

    Yet these honours only confirmed what many already knew: that Kolade’s integrity was his highest decoration.

    A statesman, moral guide

    Kolade’s story is not merely a record of positions held; it is a lesson in moral citizenship. He showed that excellence need not compromise character, that leadership is service, and that influence rests not on titles but on trust.

    His influence lives on in the institutions he strengthened—NBC, Cadbury, Pan-Atlantic University, McPherson University; in the students and mentees who embody his teachings in ethics and governance; in the foundations and research centres that continue to promote his ideals; and in public memory, which remembers him as a bridge across eras—colonial, independent, democratic—and as a compass through them all.

    Final reflections

    Christopher Kolade’s passing feels like the closing of a chapter in our national story. Yet he leaves behind pages of wisdom and a torch for others to lift. The fields he walked—education, media, business, diplomacy, civic ethics—are each richer for his footprints.

    To honour him is to renew our own commitment: to a public life where honour matters, to institutions that serve people, and to young Nigerians shaped in both skill and conscience. The true memorial to Kolade will not be in monuments or medals, but in lives lived by his example.

    Integrity was his language, service his signature, and excellence—tempered by humility—his lifelong creed.

    Farewell, Christopher Olusola Kolade. The race is run, the course is true, and your light does not fade.

    The strong voice for art, culture

    The late veteran broadcaster, Christopher Kolade, was former Director-General, Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).

     Kolade, widely regarded as one of the architects of modern Nigerian broadcasting, spent decades shaping the airwaves and using them as  tool to preserve culture, promote national identity, and set professional standards for the media.

    He  joined the NBC as West Regional Controller and rose through the ranks to become Director of Television in 1963 and Director-General in 1972. At a time when television was still in its formative years, he championed Nigerian content, insisting on programmes that reflected the country’s diversity and cultural depth.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Ex-envoy Christopher Kolade dies at 92

    Under his leadership, radio and television became vehicles for storytelling, with Yoruba theatre, Hausa folktales and Igbo music gaining nationwide attention.

    In 1965, he initiated a folklore radio series that revived traditional stories for a modern audience.

     During the civil war, he used music and drama broadcasts to promote unity, notably through the “Harmony Hour” programme, which brought together different cultural sounds and voices from across the country.

    He was known for his insistence on truth and integrity in broadcasting as he often reminded colleagues that the airwaves carried a responsibility to inform, educate and build trust.

    He set professional standards that defined the golden era of Nigerian broadcasting, turning the NBC into a platform where culture and journalism co-existed.

    His leadership went beyond Nigeria. Between 1973 and 1975, he served as President of the International Institute for Communications, advocating globally for media as a tool for cultural preservation and national development.

    Kolade was also a strong supporter of the arts. He provided platforms for young playwrights and performers, including early works by Prof Wole Soyinka and other theatre pioneers. He saw broadcasting as more than news delivery— it was a cultural stage where art, music and performance could thrive.

    Even after leaving the NBC in 1978, he remained a respected voice in media and arts. He later taught at Pan-Atlantic University and Lagos Business School, where he mentored young media practitioners and emphasized ethical storytelling.

     His foundation, Christopher Kolade Foundation also supported cultural initiatives, theatre troupes and radio advocacy programmes, continuing his life’s work of linking art and communication.

    In 2015, he published The Kolade Canons, a series of three volumes on African values, business and economy, nation building and ethics. The books also cover people, leadership and management. 

    The books, The Kolade’s Canons are published in three volumes containing what might best be described as Christopher Kolade’s ecclesiastical declarations over the last 40 years. The volumes contain first-class materials, based on highly cherished African values with foundations in universal principles, from a first-class mind.

     This volume, Kolade’s Canons 2, focuses on Business and Economy, Nation Building and Ethics. Without sound ethics builders of lives, organisations or nations build on a false foundation.

    The first volume, Kolade’s Canons 1, focuses on People, Leadership and Management.

     In it he directs readers to enduring leadership principles which, if put into practice can lead to the transformation of individuals, enterprises and nations.

    The third volume, Kolade’s Canons 3, is devoted entirely to Broadcasting,  his second career start up.

    The volumes are not textbooks but a collection of a refined gentleman’s speeches and teachings. They provide teachers, students, policy makers and policy executors deep insights to think and talk about, as well as test in the arena of practice.

    The earliest papers date back 40 years, yet they remain relevant because they are principles-based; and because Dr. Kolade was also thinking for future generations. These publications were published by AuthorHouse.

    Kolade: The diplomat

    Kolade served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2002 to 2007, earning widespread respect for his diplomacy as well as humility, and the integrity he brought to the high commission.

    He came into the role with an established reputation for ethical conduct from his earlier career in broadcasting and at Cadbury Nigeria Plc.

    He upheld this reputation during his diplomatic service, which many observers noted with respect.

    Kolade showcased his expertise and integrity on the global stage, particularly during his tenure.

    The late broadcaster was admired for how he carried Nigeria’s name abroad with dignity. His personal conduct was seen as an asset to Nigeria’s diplomatic image.

    He worked to promote Nigeria’s interests abroad, leveraging his reputation for integrity and professionalism.

    The former high commissioner to the UK  was widely praised for his tenure’s emphasis on improving public service delivery, particularly for tasks like passport renewal, and for demonstrating ethical leadership through his personal simplicity and diplomacy. He fostered a more efficient working environment within the High Commission and earned widespread respect for his frugal and moral bearing.

    Kolade’s primary focus was on delivering efficient, tangible services to Nigerians in the UK, rather than personal advancement or staff changes.

    He streamlined processes, leading to significantly faster service delivery for tasks like passport renewal, which previously took months.

    His tenure was characterised by his own simplicity and adherence to high moral standards, setting a positive example for his workers.

    He was known for his effective diplomacy and respectful approach to his role.

    The late Kolade’s  distinguished career as a diplomat significantly enhanced the reputation of the High Commission leading to others adjudging him of representing Nigeria with distinction in the UK.

    Footprints of a business, corporate governance colossus

    He bestrode Nigeria’s business, corporate governance and human resources management space like a colossus. And when he passed on, aged 92 yesterday, elder statesman, diplomat, and boardroom guru, Dr.  Kolade, sure left indelible marks on the sands of time.

    The former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, who was globally acknowledged as the embodiment of ethical leadership, sat atop some of Nigeria’s largest and reputable corporations and institutions, where he became a study in business integrity, honesty, service, and excellence.

    For instance, he was Chief Executive and later Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc., Nigeria’s leading Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company, specializing in confectionary and beverages. Today, Cadbury owes much of its reputation as a trusted consumer brand to Kolade’s strategic guidance, strong corporate governance, and business ethics.

    Those who were privileged to work with him attest to his significant contributions to Cadbury in the areas of institutionalizing a process and system for human capacity development and empowerment, establishment of a pipeline for executive replacement, and instituting a culture and system for innovation research and development.

    The renowned industrialist emplaced a robust management trainee scheme, an excellence awards scheme, and a system of formal and informal appraisals at Cadbury. He was also credited with creating a unique staff identification system that was uncommon in its simplicity and application and different from the focus on designations and functions.

    Prior to his hugely rewarding charge at Cadbury, Dr. Kolade, who began his professional life as an Education Officer in the colonial era, worked as a broadcaster. He rose through the ranks, becoming Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation. There, he championed professionalism and public-service values during a formative period for Nigeria’s media.

     As a teacher, Dr. Kolade later taught corporate governance and human resources management at the prestigious Lagos Business School (LBS). The Erin-Oke, Osun State-born nonagenarian also taught leadership & conflict management at the School of Media & Communication (SMC), with company MDs, Chairmen and Directors as his students.

    The LBS and SMC are schools of the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos. Formerly a member of the university’s Governing Council, Dr. Kolade also served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Pan-Atlantic University. He also served as Chancellor of McPherson University, Ogun State.

    A common thread that ran through Dr. Kolade’s career and stewardship was his knack for integrity, a trait that was evident in all the organisations he chaired, such as The Integrity Organisation Ltd GTE and The Convention on Business Integrity Ltd GTE. His dedication to integrity and ethical leadership was second to none, and will continue to be an inspiration for generations to come.

    The Christopher Kolade Centre for Research in Leadership and Ethics (CKCRLE), launched in October 2013, is dedicated to transforming Nigeria and Africa through cutting-edge research in leadership and ethics.

    The Centre empowers organisations to enhance performance and tackle critical challenges by promoting ethical leadership practices.

    Dr. Kolade, who, in his lifetime, consistently insisted that leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege, was also the Founding Patron of the Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI), which cultivates values-driven leaders in Nigeria and abroad. And with a public life marked by competence without corruption, his sobriquet, ‘Mr. Integrity,’ has become a standard Nigerians will measure themselves against.

    With a richly rewarding career that spanned broadcasting, business, diplomacy, higher education, and civil society, late Pa Kolade, easily Nigeria’s most principled public figures, also acquitted himself well in the public sector, where he was, for instance, appointed pioneer Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) in 2012 by erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He, however stepped down in 2013, citing the need to reduce energy-intensive commitments as justification. And that was when he celebrated his 81st birthday.

    Other national and international organisations and institutions  he led included The Nigerian Institute of Management, The Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, The International Institute for Communications, and The World Association for Christian Communication.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described Kolade’s passing as ‘agonising,’ saying he was “exceptionally brilliant, statesmanly diligent, and had unimpeachable integrity.”

    He recalled his many humanitarian interventions through the Christopher Kolade Foundation, especially his support for sickle cell patients, a cause to which he donated a chunk of his earnings.

    “We must celebrate his life and legacy. He lived an exemplary life and immortalised himself in his uncommon service to our nation and humanity. He will remain an inspiration for us and for many generations. He was a representation of the true Nigerian, selfless and resilient,” President Tinubu said.

    Kolade The Artsman

    The late Dr. Kolade is a man of many parts, one of which include the world of art.

    The former  High Commissioner to the Court of St James  expressed his love for music at different fora.

    In 2001, the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) honoured him as one of the patriarchs of the culture community.

    The late Dr Kolade’s love for the arts might have also stemmed from his days at the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (now the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria) where he rose through the ranks to become Director-General.

    Until his demise, he was remembered for his professionalism, dignity, and insistence on ethical journalism while he was the DG.

    The late Dr Kolade was close to the late Segun Olusola while they were alive. Their collaboration, it was said, helped lay the foundation for modern television and radio in the country.

    Through the Christopher Kolade Foundation (CKF), which was launched in 1997, he rewarded individual achievement, innovation, and creativity in the field of music.

  • Tinubu mourns Christopher Kolade, describes him as “one of Nigeria’s intellectual treasures”

    Tinubu mourns Christopher Kolade, describes him as “one of Nigeria’s intellectual treasures”

    …says late diplomat lived a life of integrity, service

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Nigeria’s renowned diplomat, broadcaster, and corporate leader, Dr Christopher Kolade, describing him as “one of Nigeria’s intellectual treasures” and a symbol of integrity, patriotism, and selfless service.

    In a heartfelt tribute he issued on Thursday, the President said Dr Kolade, who died at the age of 92, was “an inimitable figure in Nigeria’s enterprise history” and a towering personality in both the public and private sectors.

    “Dr Kolade was a custodian of our enterprise history, especially concerning corporate governance and human resources management. He was a principal figure in reputable institutions like the Lagos Business School,” President Tinubu stated.

    He described the late elder statesman as “among the finest of men—exceptionally brilliant, statesmanly, diligent, and with unimpeachable integrity.”

    Dr Kolade, who served as Chief Executive and later Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, was widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s foremost advocates of transparency and accountability in corporate and public life.

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    President Tinubu said his contributions to governance and leadership training were “foundational to the evolution of modern corporate ethics in Nigeria.”

    “He was not only a boardroom icon but also a patriot and an uncompromising advocate of transparency and accountability in governance,” the President noted.

    The tribute further highlighted Kolade’s distinguished service record, from his early career as a colonial-era education officer to his later roles as Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation and Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

    “Dr Kolade served Nigeria dutifully, with honesty and great dedication. He left ineffaceable stamps of distinction in every endeavour—whether in the boardroom, on national panels, or in public office”, Tinubu said.

    President Tinubu also commended Kolade’s philanthropic legacy through the Christopher Kolade Foundation, especially his long-standing support for sickle cell patients.

    “He donated a chunk of his earnings to that noble cause, reflecting his compassion and devotion to humanity,” the President recalled.

    While describing his passing as “agonising,” President Tinubu said the late elder statesman’s life should be celebrated for its enduring impact and inspiration.

    “Dr Kolade lived an exemplary life and immortalised himself through his uncommon service to our nation and humanity. He will remain an inspiration for us and for many generations. He was the representation of the true Nigerian—selfless and resilient,” the President stated.

    He prayed for the repose of Dr Kolade’s soul and for comfort to his family, colleagues, and the many institutions shaped by his leadership.

    “May God Almighty, whom he served so faithfully, grant him eternal rest,” President Tinubu said.

  • BREAKING: Ex-envoy Christopher Kolade dies at 92

    BREAKING: Ex-envoy Christopher Kolade dies at 92

    Veteran broadcaster and former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, is dead. 

    He was 92.

    The family announced the elder statesman’s death in a statement on Thursday.

    The statement said the late former Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria died peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

    “We are thankful for his incredible life of faith and service, and are grateful for God’s abundant blessings,” the statement read in part.

    Kolade had a distinguished career as a diplomat, academic, advocate for integrity and corporate governance, among other things.

    Born on December 28, 1932, in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Kolade was the son of an Anglican missionary. He attended Government College, Ibadan, before proceeding to Fourah Bay College in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where he completed his higher education.

    READ ALSO: Police arrest 12 suspects over killing of Arise TV Anchor Maduagwu

    Kolade began his career in broadcasting, eventually rising to the position of Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation.

    He later became Chief Executive and Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, where he was widely recognised for his ethical leadership and corporate reforms.

    The deceased also served Nigeria as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, leaving behind a legacy of diplomacy, integrity, and professionalism.

    Kolade taught Corporate Governance and Human Resources Management at the Lagos Business School and Leadership & Conflict Management at the School of Media & Communication, both part of Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.

    Kolade, a former member of the university’s Governing Council, also served as its Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, and was later Chancellor of McPherson University, Ogun State.