Dr. Christopher Kolade, a distinguished broadcaster, boardroom guru, teacher and diplomat par-excellence passed on last week at the age of 92. His death no doubt, left a vacuum too large to fill. Nigeria lost one of her intellectual treasures and a versatile citizen of his era. Kolade was a man of integrity and an uncompromising advocate of transparency and accountability in governance. It was in the field of boardroom politics that he most excelled and had flocks of mentees. He was known as a diligent and integrity professional who spoke the truth, not minding whose ox was gored. Even in death, Kolade matters not only because of the lives he touched and shaped positively, but what he stood for, integrity and character.

In a country where many people place personal gain above other considerations, including public interest, Kolade was selfless and integrity-spirited. Hence, despite holding high positions, his reputation was for humility, restraint and commitment to principle rather than acquisition of wealth.

He constantly emphasised the importance of education, leadership, training and preparing the younger generations to lead ethically. This singular exemplary lifestyle of giving younger generation a chance should be emulated by our ‘sit-tight’ old political class members.

Born on December 28, 1932 in Erin-Oke, Osun State, it is not surprising that he grew up in an environment shaped by Christian values as his father was an Anglican missionary. The late elderstatesman was educated at Emmanuel School, Ado-Ekiti (1939-1943) and Christ School, Ado-Ekiti (1944-1945). His secondary education was at the Government College, Ibadan (1946-1951). In search of the proverbial golden fleece, Kolade left Nigeria for the famous Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone where he obtained Bachelor of Arts in 1954 as well as Diploma in Education in 1955.

He returned to Nigeria after his studies and became a colonial-era education officer in the Western region. His distinguished career as a broadcaster started in 1960 after Nigeria’s independence, where he rose to become Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) now the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) between 1960 and 1978. He was later appointed as Chief Executive and Chairman, Cadbury Nigeria Plc. In his days at Cadbury, Dr Kolade was known as a diligent team builder. His commitment to serving the nation and humanity was monumental, a good advertisement for ethics and corporate governance.

When he left Cadbury, he was appointed Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Expectedly, his professionalism earned him widespread respect and honour for his diplomacy, humility and integrity.

Kolade was a man of many parts, with his career cutting across multiple sectors. He utilised every opportunity and contributed immensely to national development. He resumed academic and educational roles after his diplomatic service by teaching and mentoring at the Pan Atlantic University, Lagos Business School and School of Media and Communication where he taught corporate governance and human resource management.

For his unblemished integrity, Kolade was generally referred as “Ambassador of Anti-corruption”. In 2000, he was awarded the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). The Archbishop of Canterbury in 1981 honoured him with the Medal of the Order of St. Augustine. Kolade was also a Lay Canon Emeritus of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Guildford, United Kingdom. He bagged honorary doctorate degrees from: McPherson University (2016) and University of Sierra Leone (1976). He was president, Nigerian Institute of Management (1985-1988), president, Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (1988-1993), and president, International Institute of Communications (1973-1975.

His life was simple, dignified and a worthy example for younger generations.

Prof. Joy Uche Angela Ogwu (1946-2025)
Professor (Mrs) Joy Uche Angela Ogwu who passed on October 13, 2025 at the age of 79, was one of Nigeria’s distinguished envoys, and a Foreign Affairs Minister who served her country meritoriously, making significant contributions to nation building.

Her illustrious career spanned decades in academia, diplomacy and public service. She would be remembered for her tenacity and distinction, as well as her achievements as one of the most successful diplomats in representation of Nigeria at the United Nations.

Prof. Ogwu was first in several areas. She was the first woman to represent Nigeria at the UN, the first woman appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs and the first female permanent representative of Nigeria to the UN. She was dedicated and focused to her goals as she championed global peace, disarmament and international cooperation with excellent advocacy. In a number of instances, her vibrant voice at the international stage was zealous, dignified and firm. Ogwu was president of the UN Security Council, a position she twice held, first in July 2010 and October 2011, and where her tenacity came to the fore.

When she assumed the UN Security Council leadership, she was fully aware of the power and influence Nigeria occupied in Africa, particularly West Africa. For practical purpose, Prof Ogwu did not only project Nigeria’s influence jealously, she used it to press and push her global agenda- refusing to place Nigeria below the intrigues of Washington or Western politics of ‘divide-and-rule’ system. She was willing at all times to make her own contributions in the public sphere, with courage and remarkable determination.

Before her diplomatic appointment on May 7, 2008 by the late President Umaru Musa Ya’Adua as Nigeria’s permanent representative to the UN, Prof. Ogwu was the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA). She played key role as DG in shaping Nigeria’s foreign policy and advancing the study of international relations.

Ogwu, who hailed from Delta State, was born on August 22, 1946. She was widely regarded as a trailblazer in the truest sense of the word for women in international diplomacy. Her academic and professional careers were marked by excellence and national service. She earned both Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts degrees in Political Science from Rutgers University, New Jersey, United States, and later obtained a Doctorate from the University of Lagos, Nigeria.  No doubt, Prof Ogwu’s legacy is etched in the annals of our nation’s history. She was a visionary leader and stateswoman who served Nigeria with dignity and a sense of mission.  As DG of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, she reinvigorated our premier foreign policy think tank.

Prof Ogwu was a role model and mother-figure to generations of younger women who drew inspiration from her dedication to service, commitment to public good and personal distinction in whatever task to which she devoted her time and energy.

Prof. Jonah Isawa Elaigwu (1948-2025)
Professor Jonah Isawa Elaigwu, a leading Nigerian expert in comparative federalism and civil-military relations who passed on July 22, 2025 at the age of 77, made contributions to the political development of the country.

Elaigwu who studied Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and served as a lecturer in the institution later became the pioneer Head of Department of Political Science at the University of Jos. He played remarkable role in the establishment of the popular Jos School of Political Science that attracted intellectuals from across the world, including the legendary Kenyan colleague, the late Prof Ali Mazrui, for great intellectual works on emerging issues in diverse areas of public administration.

His recognition as a great thinker, crusader for good governance and an expert in civil-military relations led to his appointment by the military administration of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida as a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee from 1986 to 1992. Later in 1992, Elaigwu was appointed Director-General of National Council on Intergovernmental Relations, where he served meritoriously for four years.

Until his death, Eliagwu also served as adviser to successive presidents of Nigeria and National Assembly members, states and local governments. He was also an adviser to some global institutions, including the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Centre for Development and Population Activities, United Nations Centre for Human Settlements, Department of International Development (DFID) and the British Council.

The late scholar and researcher founded the Jos-based Institute of Governance and Social Research (IGSR), a civil society-oriented trainer and think-thank. Elaigwu was famous for writing the unauthorised biography of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, titled “Gowon: The Biography of a Soldier-Statesman.” In the book, the political scientist explored the strengths and weaknesses of the nine-year tenure of Gowon as Nigeria’s military ruler.

Elaigwu was born on March 10, 1948 in Otukpo, Benue State. He attended Kings College, Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Stanford University in the United States. He was buried on October 16, 2025 in his ancestral home in Otukpo.