By Prof. Lere Baale
It is with deep sorrow and profound gratitude that we reflect on the life of Dr Christopher Olusola Kolade, whose footsteps were marked by dignity, integrity, and service. Though words fall short to describe a life so whole and rich, it is fitting that we pause, remember, and celebrate one of Nigeria’s most honourable sons. The Life of a Statesman and Scholar Born on December 28, 1932, in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Dr Kolade’s journey was never one of complacency.
He pursued education, first in Nigeria and later at Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone, equipping himself with the tools to serve his generation and future generations. His trajectory spanned multiple fields, ranging from education to broadcasting, corporate leadership, diplomacy, and ultimately mentorship and scholarship. He served as Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, Chief Executive, and later Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, as well as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Yet even as he held high offices, he remained a teacher at heart. He was a great inspiration who influenced my career choice after 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry.
After his diplomatic service, he returned to academia, lecturing on corporate governance, leadership, and human resource management, primarily at business schools and academies, such as the Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy. Those who knew Dr Kolade knew him as a man less interested in acclaim than in character.
He was known for his humility, civility, and respect for others, which remained unwavering regardless of his rank. Many who encountered him later in life recount how accessible, gracious, and principled he remained. Legacy of Integrity and Leadership Dr Kolade’s life was anchored in values. He understood that leadership is more than a title or position — it is about responsibility, consistency, and sacrificing self-interest for the greater good. He believed that policies and systems mean little unless upheld by men and women of character. His call to me in 1997 to have Pfizer join the Convention on Business Integrity as a foundation member was one of the most privileged calls I have received. His principle of treating “people as the most important resource” resonated deeply in both corporate and public spheres. He insisted that institutions perform no better than their people.
He also exemplified what it means to lead with restraint. He rarely sought the limelight, steered conversations toward collective purpose rather than personal glory, and was patient for impact in a world often impatient for recognition. Through his teaching, governance, and writings, he shaped many youthful minds by imparting knowledge and modelling consistency, humility, and conviction in living. What His Passing Means The passing of Dr Christopher Kolade is a profound loss not only to his family and students but to Nigeria and Africa more widely. In times when leadership is too often measured by noise and power, his life stood as a quiet rebuke — that lasting influence is born of integrity, not theatrics.
Yet even in this moment of farewell, his legacy endures. The values he championed — respect, service, accountability — continue through the many he mentored. The institutions he served, the classrooms he taught, the boardrooms he led, all bear the imprint of his wisdom. A Charge to the Living As we mourn, we must also carry forward. Let us honour Dr Kolade by renewing our commitment to principled leadership. Let us nurture integrity in every sphere — corporate, public service, education, or private life. Let us regard people as God’s precious creation, serving rather than exploiting, building rather than tearing down.
Let us ensure his life does not become merely a memory, but a living catalyst for a better Nigeria — one where leadership is measured not by titles but by character, where ambition is harnessed by purpose, and where young people believe they, too, can shape a nation of dignity. Final Words of Gratitude Thank you, Dr Kolade, for your faithful life. Thank you for leading by example. Thank you for showing us that greatness is not in loud proclamations, but in daily obedience, consistency, humility, and concern for others. May you rest in glory. May your legacy echo forward. And may we — your children, students, and nation — honour you in words and renewed lives. Farewell, sir.
May your journey beyond be as noble as the walk you left behind.
By Prof. Lere Baale CEO – Business School Netherlands International, Nigeria, President & Chairman of Council Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy.
