With the unfortunate loss of Dr. Christopher Kolade, the number of the remaining genuine icons of Nigeria further diminished. He belonged to a rare and disappearing breed of Nigerians who were formed after the manner of Judeo-Christian ethics. Those who bring pristine values to the table. They are refined and disciplined and well educated, they are not loud, they are not stylish or trendy, they are not greedy. They are conservatives who are simply contented. Have you heard and listened carefully to Kolade speak the English language. His clear articulation sends a clear message of one who has formal exposure in that space. He spoke the English language flawlessly, a clear evidence of his background as a broadcaster.
My first knowledge of him was upon my return from Manchester to Nigeria when my sister in law worked with him as his personal secretary at Cadbury. In that position, it is saying the obvious to observe that she knew him close up, and she did have many positive things to say about his integrity. He was a very disciplined administrator who was not concerned about his personal comfort and did not have the usual what is in it for me mentality as he goes about his duties. And after all his grand tours as Nigeria Ambassador to the United Kingdom and numerous other board appointments often as Chairman, he still retained the servant leader mentality to accept to be saddled with the responsibility of the formation of students and managers to give them the correct orientation by accepting a teaching appointment at the Lagos Business School.
We will not find many with such humility to accept a teaching job at that stage in their lives. And by all counts, he submerged himself to the job as must be expected and gave a good account of himself even as he left robust legacies at the school. The content of his character and the value he espouses could be fully gleaned from the fact that when he could not cope with the crude shenanigans of politicians, he resigned from his appointment as chairman of Sure-P. How many other Nigerians have you heard resigned from such appointments? I was also privileged to number Gamaliel Onosode of blessed memory as a friend. I knew and admired Sir Akintola Williams from a distant. But these individuals, along with a few others, belong to a disappearing breed of Nigerians that as a nation, we would be at pains to find replacements for. We wish Dr. Christopher Kolade safe return to his maker and peaceful repose. Amen.
• Boniface Chizea is a topnotch economic consultant and public affairs analyst.
