The president expressed his grief through a statement by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga on Thursday.

According to the president, “I received with profound sadness the news of the passing of the in­imitable Dr Christopher Kolade, a broadcaster and boardroom guru who is one of Nigeria’s in­tellectual treasures.

“Dr Kolade, 92, was a custodi­an of our enterprise history, espe­cially concerning corporate gov­ernance and human resources management. He was a principal figure in reputable institutions like the Lagos Business School.

“He was among the finest of men. He was exceptionally bril­liant, statesmanly, diligent, and had unimpeachable integrity.

“Dr. Kolade was not only a boardroom icon, serving as one-time chief executive and chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, but he was also a patriot and an uncompromising advocate of transparency and accountability in governance.

“He served Nigeria duti­fully, with honesty and great dedication. 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, whether in the board­room, on panels, or public office.

“I recall his many humani­tarian interventions through the Christopher Kolade Foundation, especially his support for sickle cell patients, a cause to which he donated a chunk of his earnings.

“Dr Kolade’s passing is ago­nising, yet we must celebrate his life and legacy. He lived an exem­plary life and immortalised him­self in his uncommon service to our nation and humanity.

“He will remain an inspira­tion for us and for many genera­tions. He was a representation of the true Nigerian, selfless and re­silient. May God Almighty, whom he served so faithfully, grant him eternal rest”.

Sanwo-Olu Mourns Christopher Ko­lade

Similarly, the governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide San­wo-Olu, described the death of elder statesman and doyen of the boardroom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, as a monumental loss to Nigeria.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, further described the passage of the respected diplomat, teacher and veteran broadcaster as the end of an era.

He said the death of Dr. Kolade, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated boardroom gurus and advocates for integrity and corporate governance, was a co­lossal loss to the country and an irreplaceable loss to his family, friends and associates.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said Dr. Kolade’s record of service as a celebrated teacher and broad­caster, seasoned technocrat and administrator, Chief Executive and Chairman of Cadbury Ni­geria Plc, and former Nigerian High Commissioner to the Unit­ed Kingdom, would remain indel­ible for generations to come.

He said: “On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Lagos State, we cele­brate the departure of a legend and celebrated doyen of the boardroom and former Nigerian High Commissioner to the Unit­ed Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Ko­lade, who made a positive impact during his lifetime.

“The legacy of Dr Christo­pher Kolade cannot be forgotten because of the remarkable im­pact he made during his lifetime and his extraordinary life of ser­vice to humanity, his communi­ty, the private and public sectors, locally and internationally.