Tributes are pouring in across Nigeria and beyond following the passing of elder statesman, veteran broadcaster, diplomat, and business icon — Dr. Christopher Kolade. He died yesterday at the age of 92.
Known as the “doyen of ethical leadership,” Dr. Kolade’s career spanned decades — from the golden era of Nigerian broadcasting, to boardrooms, lecture halls, and diplomatic circles. His death has been met with an outpouring of grief, remembrance, and deep respect.
Dr. Christopher Kolade was a titan, who strode board rooms and corporate corridors like a colossus
A broadcaster par excellence, he was also a top diblomat and his passing is sure to be a great loss to his beloved Nigeria.
Leading the tributes to a true Nigerian icon, President Bola Tinubu described Kolade as a moral compass in a time of great change… a man whose voice carried the weight of wisdom, and whose integrity never wavered.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto Matthew Hassan Kukah in his tribute, described the late statesman as a man of grace and charm, who carried himself with great dignity.
The lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwa-Olu described Kolade’s death as a monumental loss to Nigeria and the end of an era.
Born on December 28, 1932, in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Dr. Kolade lived a life defined by integrity, leadership, and excellence across broadcasting, diplomacy, academia, and the corporate world.
The son of an Anglican missionary, he attended Government College, Ibadan, before proceeding to Fourah Bay College in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
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His distinguished career earned him honorary doctorates from the University of Sierra Leone and McPherson University in Ogun State.
Dr. Kolade began his professional journey in broadcasting and rose to become Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation or NBC.
He later joined the corporate sector, where he served as Chief Executive and Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, earning widespread respect for his ethical leadership.
His reputation for excellence led to his appointment as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, a role he discharged with distinction.
After his diplomatic service, Dr. Kolade joined the Lagos Business School as a lecturer in Corporate Governance and Human Resource Management, and later taught Leadership and Conflict Management at the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, where he also served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council.
Beyond academia, he held leadership positions in professional bodies such as the Nigerian Institute of Management, Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, International Institute for Communications, and the World Association for Christian Communications
Dr. Kolade is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. In keeping with his legacy, several institutions have announced plans to hold memorial lectures and events in his honour.
As Nigeria bids farewell to one of its finest public figures, the words often used to describe Christopher Kolade now echo louder than ever: principled, humble, and unwavering in service.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
