By Jennifer Hyginus
The recent demise of Dr. Christopher Kolade, a foremost Nigerian with unblemished records of service both in public and private sectors even at the diplomatic level, even at the ripe age of 93, still was a shock to many. Kolade, by his eventful life that was replete with great accomplishments, leaves a big shoe which only a very few Nigerians of this generation would be capable of wearing. Of a truth, his records in all spheres where he served his country and humanity in general portrayed him as a man of unquestionable disposition, hence he was dubbed “MR. INTEGRITY” at some point in his life time.
History has already recorded him as a man with exceptional character whose leadership abilities have earned widespread respect and admiration. During his days, he placed high value on dignity and respect, ensuring that courtesy and civility were always upheld.
Born in Erin – Oke, Osun State, Nigeria, on 28th December, 1932 to a well respected Anglican missionary father, Christopher Kolade had his early education at Emmanuel School, Ado-Ekiti, from 1939-1943; Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, 1944-1945 and completed his secondary-school education at Government College, Ibadan after which he studied at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. As a naturally multi-talented person, Kolade’s career trajectory can be segmented into four Viz: Education (1955 – 60), Broadcasting (1960 – 78), Business (1978 – 2002), and Diplomacy (2002 – 07).
The then young Kolade had begun his career as Education Officer in the former Western Region in 1955. He later found interest in the media industry particularly in the electronic sector where he worked as a broadcaster for years. He became the West Regional Controller, Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (now Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN) from 1960 to 1963. He was Director, Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (now Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN) from1963 to 968 and subsequently Director in charge of Programmes, Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (now Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN) from 1968 to1972.
Between 1973 and 1975 Kolade was President, International Institute for Communications while also functioning as the Director General, Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (now Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria from 1972 to 1978. Remarkably, the 1976 Col. Sukar Bukar Dimka’s coup almost marred Kolade’s career in the broadcast industry as he was in charge of Federal Road Corporation of Nigeria through which the coup plotters made their announcement. It was divine intervention that saved the situation.
Due to his absolute belief in the supremacy of God and commitment to things relating to Christianity, he served as President, World Association for Christian Communication from 1975 and 1982.
Having paid his dues in the broadcast industry, Kolade in 1978 opted to join the manufacturing sector of the economy as he was employed as Administration Director, Cadbury Nigeria Limited. Within four years, he rose to become the Deputy Managing Director, Cadbury Nigeria Limited and in 1984, he was made the Managing Director of Cadbury Nigeria Limited. He served till 1989 when he subsequently assumed office as the Chief Executive Officer of the company.
As a strategic board room player and highly versatile in corporate governance, he became the President, Nigerian Institute of Management from 1985–1988 and also President, Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria between 1988 and 1993
His love for intellectualism and advancement of it, lured him to the class room where in 1995 he was engaged as a Lecturer at the prestigious Lagos Business School. He lectured there for some years before the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. He served there from 2002 to 2007.
On his return after his ambassadorial assignment, he was appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Pan African University in 2009. He served till 2012 and was also appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration as Chairman, Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme Board on January 3, 2012. Among his various achievements, Dr. Christopher Kolade was a Fellow, Institute of Directors (IoD) and also Fellow, Society of Nigerian Broadcasters.
Due to his commitment to the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a man of impeccable character and highly nationalistic, the President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration conferred on him a national honor as Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON in 2008. Prior to that his alma meter, University of Sierra-Leone had honoured him with an Honorary Doctorate in 1976.
As a scholar with deep interest in propagation of knowledge, Kolade had left behind several publications among which is his book, Managing Grassroot Resources for National Development in a Depressed Economy. As a committed Christian, he was a lover of gospel music and found time to listen to such music just like he found time also to exercise and recreate himself through playing lawn tennis at Metropolitan and Lagos Country Clubs where he held membership.
In spite of his commitment to secular activities, Dr. Kolade also found time to play organ in the church. He had been an Organist and Choir Master in St. Peter’s Church, Faji, Lagos, since 1988. In 1981 he had received the medal of the Order of St. Augustine from the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is also a Lay Canon of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in the Diocese of Guildford.
Dr. Christopher Kolade would always be best remembered particularly by those who crossed paths with him over the years in one sphere or the other, as a man largely imbued with honesty of purpose, transparent in his activities and highly lovable. Humanity was his constituency as he literarily placed the dignity and affection of others over and above every other thing.
