It is with a great sense of loss that we received the news of the passing of our revered and much cherished premier, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Leading Edge Consultancy Services Limited (Leading Edge Consulting), Dr Christopher Kolade, CON. Even though Dr Kolade passed on at the ripe age of 92 years, it struck like a thunderbolt as I was out of town. Given the strength of social media, I could not be in denial for too long. I had to brace up and sought confirmation from his family.
A quintessential gentleman, Dr Kolade was a national treasure; a legend who packed many lifetimes in one. He was distinct in his simplicity, spartan discipline, and unique ways in which he positively influenced the lives of generations of Nigerians. He was simply but greatly revered as his conduct spelt precision, reliability, and accountability. He was always alert and had great clarity of thought that did not leave room for doubt in terms of expectations.
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I first knew Dr Kolade by reputation, as he was quite visible across varied spheres in Nigeria. He was a past President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, Nigerian Institute of Management, Managing Director and Chairman of Cadbury, as well as the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria. Having established Leading Edge Consulting in the late nineties, Prof Pat Utomi, easily one of the most altruistic persons I have met in my life, formally introduced me to Dr Kolade during their early days as founding Faculty Members of the Lagos Business School. Dr Kolade taught Leadership, Human Resources Management, and Governance. I assisted him in his Human Resources offerings, particularly introducing the psychometrics aspects, which were highly received by his students and got him enthralled. This development led to my introduction to Corporate Governance, both in theory and in practice. Subsequently, we had the privilege and honour of his serving as the Chairman of the Leading Edge Consulting Advisory Board. We at the firm were quite privileged to have experienced firsthand his role modelling, mentoring, and words of wisdom at various times. Words can never be enough to express our gratitude and indebtedness to him.
“We mourn the passing of a legend and a great leader indeed. Nigeria has lost not just one of its finest but one of its finest of all time.”
Dr Kolade is a force for good. By divine providence, he readily served as a positive change agent at difficult points in my life’s journey. He was unrelenting in lending his support to any cause that elevates humanity. Long before gender diversity, equity, and inclusiveness became the ‘hype’ words, Dr Kolade advanced the cause for women to occupy posts they were qualified for in society. When I was drawn to Soroptimist International, a global volunteer organisation that transforms the lives and status of women (by promoting the sincerity of friendship, the joy of achievement, the dignity of service, the integrity of profession, and the love of country), he readily chaired my investiture as the President of Soroptimist International of Surulere. Dr Kolade’s imprimatur in my life is undeniable. He also served as the Chairman of the fourth Biennial Public Lecture of the Goddy Jidenma Foundation, a thought-leadership Foundation which I founded in memory of my husband.
But beyond these personal testimonials, Dr Kolade was a national icon who gave his all for the betterment of society. He was more than exemplary. His level of discipline is a rarity in our society. Whilst at the Lagos Business School, the simplicity with which he approached his work lent credence to it. Anything Dr Kolade was associated with had a stamp of credibility. He later served as the Pro-Chancellor of Pan Atlantic University. Dr Kolade was simply at the service of humanity. In my opinion, he personified the tenets of ‘Opus Dei’/’Work for God’. He indeed worked for God wherever he found himself. He was a sanitiser of sorts. For instance, as the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, he made remarkable reforms in terms of ethical leadership. His imprints as an Ambassador and those of his wife, Mrs Beatrice Kolade, were there for all to experience. He brought great respectability and pride to bear in any position he occupied.
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We mourn the passing of a legend and a great leader indeed. Nigeria has lost not just one of its finest but one of its finest of all time. We celebrate his legacies not cast in built and preserved monuments but in the hearts and minds of the numerous men and women he has touched across the globe.
We pray for the family he left behind. His family has been very gracious in their sacrificial sharing of their prized asset with our nation. The Christopher Kolade Foundation, which he founded during the latter part of his life, is a testimony to his commitment to education, particularly to the underprivileged and the ‘girl child’. At the Chartered Institute of Directors, CIoD, where he is a highly revered Elder and Distinguished Fellow, his pioneering contributions stand in bold relief, as also his services as a Past President of the Society for Corporate Governance. His contributions to the church as a Lay Canon are also unforgettable. We celebrate the life and times of a beacon of light.
Dr Kolade came, saw, and conquered. He has fought the good fight with all his might. A crown now awaits him.
Dr Ije Jidenma, Founding CEO, Leading Edge Consulting.
