President Bola Tinubu on Thursday paid glowing tribute to the late Dr. Christopher Kolade, describing him as ‘an icon of integrity, patriotism, and excellence’ whose life embodied the best ideals of service and leadership in Nigeria.
In a statement by him, the President said he received the news of Kolade’s death ‘with profound sadness’, calling the 92-year-old diplomat, broadcaster, and corporate leader ‘one of Nigeria’s intellectual treasures and a custodian of our enterprise history’.
‘Dr. Kolade was among the finest of men. He was exceptionally brilliant, statesmanly, diligent, and had unimpeachable integrity. He was not only a boardroom icon, serving as one-time Chief Executive and Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, but also a patriot and an uncompromising advocate of transparency and accountability in governance’, President Tinubu said.
The President noted that Kolade’s public service career, spanning the colonial era to Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, reflected uncommon dedication to the nation’s growth and moral capital.
‘From working as a colonial-era education officer to serving as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, Dr. Kolade left ineffaceable stamps of distinction in every endeavour’, he added.
President Tinubu also lauded Kolade’s humanitarian work through the Christopher Kolade Foundation, particularly his lifelong advocacy for ethical leadership and his support for people living with sickle-cell disease.
‘He lived not for wealth or fame but for impact. His passing is agonising but worth celebrating. He immortalised himself through uncommon service to our nation and humanity. He was a true Nigerian—selfless, resilient, and guided by faith. May God Almighty, whom he served faithfully, grant him eternal rest’, the President said.
Kolade, who died peacefully on Wednesday, 8 October 2025, at age 92, was a former Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and the pioneer Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P). He was also a leading voice on ethics, leadership, and corporate governance at the Lagos Business School.
Osun Governor Mourns Kolade’s death
Also, in a statement by Osun State Governor Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Senator Ademola Adeleke described the passing of the former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade as a collosal loss, saying that Nigeria has lost one of its best.
Adeleke expresses his deep pain on the death of the one-time Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, whose life, he said was marked by excellence and untainted integrity, recounting how his selflessness in the service of the nation has shaped institutions for the better and guide generations.
The governor commiserates with the family of the nonagenarian and the people of Erin-Oke who have lost an illustrious son, noting that his demise has created a vacuum that will be hard to fill.
‘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 that his vast and valuable experience, wisdom and guidance were much needed in navigating challenges confronting governance in Osun state and beyond’, Adeleke was quoted as saying in the condolences message.
‘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 so as to keep him in the minds of the people forever’.
The governor prays to God Almighty to repose his soul and grant his family, associates and everyone touched by his passing the fortitude to bear the pain, adding that ‘it is my sincere hope that his good works will not die with him’.
Similarly, in Osun State, the Alua of Erin-Oke, Oba Ayodeji Akintola, said the community had lost a rare gem whose life was devoted to service and moral excellence.
Speaking with The PUNCH on behalf of the Erin-Oke community, the monarch said he had planned to meet with the late elder statesman to discuss the town’s development before news of his passing broke.
‘It hurts me deeply because he promised to support our development efforts. He told me that if I needed anything—be it a school, hospital, or federal project—I should reach out to him. He was my father and kinsman, and he had a global reputation that brought pride to Erin-Oke. God knows best’, Oba Akintola said.
Born on 28 December 1932, in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Kolade was the son of an Anglican missionary.
He attended Government College, Ibadan, and later Fourah Bay College, Freetown, Sierra Leone, where he completed his higher education.
The Kolade family, in a statement announcing his death, said, ‘We are thankful for his incredible life of faith and service and are grateful for God’s abundant blessings’.
