Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The 3rd edition of the Agbeyewa Cup Football Tournament for Secondary Schools in Ekiti State goy underway Monday , October 6th, with over 160 secondary schools across all 16 Local Government Areas of the state.

Sponsored by Agbeyewa Farms, the competition is designed to promote youth development through sports thereby fostering healthy rivalry, discipline and sportsmanship among students.

Winners of this year’s edition stand to receive substantial rewards, with the champions taking home N1 million, the first runner-up N750,000, the second runner-up N500,000, and the third runner-up N250,000. In addition, each local government winner will be awarded N30,000, while the best player will also receive N30,000.

Speaking on the competition, Dauda Lawal, Director of Community Engagement at Agbeyewa, expressed enthusiasm about the tournament.

‘We are delighted to host the 3rd edition of the Agbeyewa Cup. Nigerians, particularly those in Ekiti, can look forward to a vibrant showcase of talent and excitement at every stage of the tournament,’ he said.’ Beyond football, the Agbeyewa Cup is about building character, resilience and community spirit among young people.

‘This reflects our Chairman, Niyi John Olajide’s vision of empowering the next generation to thrive both on and off the field,’ he added.

According to the fixtures from the Directorate of School Sports at the Ekiti State Ministry of Education, the tournament kicked off with preliminary rounds across local government areas between October 6 and 14. Victorious teams will then progress to the knockout stages, with the Round of 16 scheduled for Thursday, October 16, followed by the Quarterfinals on Tuesday, October 21, and the Semifinals on Thursday, October 23.

The competition will culminate in a thrilling grand finale at the Kayode Oluyemi Stadium, Ado-Ekiti, where the third-place match and the final will be played on Tuesday, October 28-a fitting climax to what promises to be an exciting showcase of grassroots football talent.

The tournament has steadily grown in prestige since its inception, with Christ School, Ado-Ekiti emerging champions in the inaugural edition in 2023, and Omuo-Ore High School lifting the trophy in 2024.

As part of its corporate social responsibility, Agbeyewa Farms through its directorate of community engagement, remains committed to championing initiatives that strengthening communities and transforming lives across Ekiti State. One of its flagship initiatives is the Agbeyewa Cup, a prestigious annual football tournament for secondary schools, organized in partnership with the Ekiti State Ministry of Education.

The tournament serves as a platform to nurture young football talent while strengthening community engagement, with participation from secondary schools across all 16 local government areas of the state. Over the years, it has grown into one of the most anticipated youth sporting events in Ekiti, reflecting Agbeyewa’s dedication to empowering the next generation.

Lekoil Nigeria Limited has attributed the success of the new oil export terminal to the favourable environment provided by the pro-business policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Chief Executive Officer, Lekoil Nigeria Limited, Lekan Akinyanmi said the commissioning of the Otakikpo Onshore Crude Oil Export Terminal, through which Lekoil evacuates crude oil from the Otakikpo field, marked a defining chapter in the company’s journey as a leading independent oil and gas company in Nigeria.

The strategic export channel was commissioned by President Bola Tinubu, represented by Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri.

According to him, the commissioning of the strategic export channel was in line with ongoing reforms to expand Nigeria’s production capacity towards Nigeria’s economic development.

‘The Otakikpo Onshore Crude Oil Export Terminal is not just infrastructure; it is a symbol of progress, credibility, and the determination of indigenous producers to deliver value on a global stage,’ Akinyanmi said.

He also commended the leadership of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for creating an enabling environment.

He said the commissioning of the terminal represented a validation of the company’s commitment to consistency and building lasting value.

‘The commissioning of the Otakikpo Onshore Crude Oil Export Terminal is a proud moment for Lekoil. It validates our commitment to building lasting value as an indigenous producer, delivering our crude to the market reliably while supporting our host communities and Nigeria’s broader energy ambitions. This milestone is a clear indication that Lekoil represents resilience, responsibility, and results,’ Akinyanmi said.

He pointed out that Lekoil, along with Green Energy International Limited, its joint venture partner on the Otakikpo field (PML 11), has consistently demonstrated that indigenous oil and gas companies can operate at world-class standards, unlock resources, advance community development, and contribute to national production growth.

‘With the commissioning of the terminal, Lekoil can now maximise the potential of Otakikpo, widely regarded as a prolific area for oil and gas nestled in the southeastern part of the Niger Delta basin, and ensure secure, efficient evacuation and reinforce its reputation as a reliable supplier of Nigerian crude.

‘This achievement underscores Lekoil’s place as a trusted, responsible operator with a long-term commitment to Nigeria’s energy security and economic growth and its vision: to be the world’s leading exploration and production company focused on Africa. We celebrate this historic commissioning as a major step in Lekoil’s growth story, one that confirms our standing as a bonafide independent producer with the capacity, the partnerships, and the will to deliver,’ Akinyanmi said.

Nigerian gospel singer Angel K has released the official video for her trending single, ‘Gratitude,’ a soulful expression of thanksgiving to God.

The five-minute track, which has been making waves across digital platforms, captures the singer’s signature style of worship and contemporary gospel rhythm.

Shot on a serene beachfront, the music video for Gratitude opens with scenic visuals that mirror the message of peace and appreciation that runs through the song. With energetic dancers complementing her performance,

Speaking about the inspiration behind the song, Angel K described Gratitude as a personal testimony of God’s faithfulness.

‘This song came from a very deep place of reflection,’ she said. ‘There have been moments when I didn’t know how things would work out, but God showed up for me in ways I couldn’t imagine. Gratitude is my way of saying ‘thank You, Lord,’ not just for the big things, but even for the breath of life and the peace of mind I enjoy daily.’

The singer added that she hopes the song reminds listeners to remain thankful regardless of their circumstances.

‘In a world where so much is happening, we often forget to pause and thank God. I want this song to help people reconnect with that attitude of gratitude,’ Angel K added.

With this release, Angel K reaffirms her place as one of the promising voices in Nigeria’s contemporary gospel scene dedicated to spreading hope and praise through her music.

‘My goal is simple,’ she concluded. ‘To use my music as a light to uplift, to heal, and to remind people that God still answers prayers.’

The certificates’ (degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificates forgery allegation against the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has again exposed the systemic dysfunction that bedevils the country. The former minister had allegedly claimed that he earned a B.Sc. in Microbiology/Biochemistry from Nigeria’s premier indigenous university, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), in July 1985. He had equally claimed to have taken part in the one-year NYSC and had attached certificates which an online newspaper, Premium Times, alleges are forged.

Premium Times claims their lead came from a whistle blower about two years ago. Their investigations show correspondences from both the vice chancellor of the university, Prof. U.S Ortuanya, and registrar, Dr Ngozi Nnebedu, claiming that the former minister was never awarded a degree certificate because he did not fulfill the academic requirements as required by the university.

The NYSC management equally disclaimed the certificate he had submitted to the Directorate of Security Services (DSS), the National Assembly and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

It was equally observed that the signature on the NYSC discharge certificate was not signed by the right Director-General of the NYSC in 1985.

We are appalled at the cocktail of scandals trailing the alleged forgeries by the ex-minister. Universities, especially reputable ones like the UNN should not be involved in the type of double-speak that has unravelled in this instance.

About two years ago too, another online newspaper was alleged to have reported a contrary information about the authenticity of the ex-minister’s certificate.

The issue is not whether Mr. Nnaji attended the university. The records show he was admitted, enrolled but did not graduate with his mates.

Contradictorily, there is allegedly a letter circulating which he had written to the university years later to be allowed to retake the exam but what is not clear is what he did afterwards. The fact is that the university had written that they never issued Mr. Nnaji a certificate.

He has resigned his appointment in what he claimed was his decision to ‘step aside as a personal choice not an admission of guilt but rather, a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and to preserve the integrity of the judicial proceedings currently before the court’.

It is instructive that he had attempted to legally stop the university from giving information about his records.

We are shocked that the messy scandal is being dubbed ‘a political witch-hunt’ and the ex-minister had his supposed media aides trying to defend their principal in what often appeared very laughable and puerile style of feigning ignorance of issues under review.

Two questions are on the lips of every educated observer, ‘Was Mr. Nnaji awarded a degree from the UNN? How did he acquire an NYSC (even with the wrong signatory) discharge certificate with alleged conflicting dates of failed course retake dates and resumption of service year?

The whole messy scandal points a torch to what is wrong with institutions in the country. We would have thought that the sad Salisu Buhari University of Toronto and age falsification scandals of 1999 would have made Nigerians, especially the political class and security agencies more thorough and painstaking in their investigations.

Mr. Nnaji, if found guilty of the allegations would be seen as lacking in integrity. Public service is not for saints but like Caesar’s wife, they are expected to be above reproach.

To have presented certificates he knew to be tainted for clearance as a ministerial nominee, if true, raises questions of character.

The security agencies that are paid with tax payers’ money have over the years often done very shoddy jobs of investigating political nominees. The case of Kemi Adeosun, a former Minister of Finance comes to the fore as her NYSC exemption certificate was found to be fake. She resigned.

Today, a former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology is embroiled in multiple scandals. The Nigerian Senate that prides itself on screening of nominees has again been exposed as either unpatriotic ircincompetent ‘screeners’, or both.

More often than not, the screening processes are shoddily and childishly handled. In fact, many nominees are often bantered with and jokingly advised to, ‘bow and go’ for the most ridiculous reasons. Today the scandal is like palm oil on one finger that soils the rest.

If proven, Mr Nnaji runs the risk of perjury and forgery charges.

Hundreds of thousands of travellers have been left stranded along the Maiduguri-Damaturu Highway following a Boko Haram attack on a military formation along the route, The Nation has gathered.

According to reports, passengers traveling from both Maiduguri and Damaturu remain trapped as security forces have blocked the highway from both ends to prevent further incidents.

An early morning traveller told our correspondent that the attack occurred late Thursday night at the Ngamdu Military Super Camp, located less than 50 kilometres from Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

‘Hundreds of passengers and vehicles are trapped here at the Damaturu exit point en route to Maiduguri. No one knows their fate or when the ever-busy road will be reopened for free movement,’ an eyewitness told our correspondent via phone.

A senator representing Lagos West District, Dr Idiat Adebule, has urged the Lagos State House of Assembly to fast track the passage of the Lagos Innovation Bill.

This, she said, would provide a legal framework to anchor research that will facilitate collaboration between the industry and academics.

She said this on Wednesday while delivering keynote address at the Lagos State University (LASU) 7th Research Trade fair, themed, ‘Promoting the Quadruple Helix Collaboration: Government, University, Industry and Community’ at the Aderemi Makanjuola Lecture Theatre, Ojo.

She added that the bill when signed into law ‘will create a research and innovation fund to cater for innovation hubs, technology parks and provides incentives for doctoral and post-doctoral research activities.’

She also said the determination of Lagos and Nigeria’s future will be by innovation and collaboration, not natural resources.

She said: ‘The future of Lagos and Nigeria will not be determined by our exhaustible natural resources, but by how well we can innovate, collaborate and scale solutions using our resources’.

Adebule urged the government, industry captains, academics and community stakeholders to seize the opportunity of the event to build an innovation ecosystem that will not only make Lagos and Nigeria not just Africa’s economic hub, but it’s knowledge and innovation capital.

She said research findings must be used to solve societal challenges; else, they will only remain trapped within the institutions.

She gave an example of how the Bell Lab’s Research Institute churned out laser, solar cell, mobile communications and internet.

This, she said, shows that those who embraced research, innovation and creativity rise to prominence while those who ignored them fade into obscurity.

LASU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, in her welcome address, said the annual fair is more than just an academic exercise.

She said: ‘It is the manifestation of our deepest institutional commitment: to move beyond theoretical knowledge and translate our research into tangible solutions that drive development. We will showcase groundbreaking work across engineering, medicine, the humanities, and the sciences projects, designed to solve real-world problems facing Lagos, Nigeria, in pursuit of our vision.

‘This year’s theme is particularly poignant. It is recognition that no single entity can tackle the complexities of sustainable development alone.’

She said that in LASU, it is understood that research only achieved its maximum impact when it is grounded in the needs of the community.

‘The community is the ultimate beneficiary, the source of vital data, and the final adopter of innovation. The university generates knowledge and talent. Industry commercialises the innovation and creates jobs. Government provides the enabling policy, regulation, and funding environment, and the community provides the context, demands the solution, and validates its utility,’ she said.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State have traded words over the performance of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa since his assumption of office.

While PDP accused Aiyedatiwa of failing to address the suffering of citizens despite the huge federal allocations and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) accruing to the state, APC dismissed the claims as spurious and politically-motivated.

Speaking yesterday in an interview on Radio Nigeria (Positive 102.9 FM Akure), monitored by The Nation, the PDP Chairman, Dupe Aisida, described Aiyedatiwa’s government as ‘cosmetic’ and ‘failing in leadership.’

Aisida alleged that residents across the 18 local governments were groaning under poor governance and lack of tangible development by the current administration.

He lamented the absence of new infrastructural projects and decay of existing ones.

‘Governance is not a game. We’re talking about the lives of millions of people. If anybody is in power, it is for us to tell them when they’re not getting it right. If they’re doing well, we commend them,’ Aisida said.

‘Politics aside, it is our duty to tell the government – it’s our money. We are all taxpayers. Whatever comes in belongs to every indigene of this state. We must ensure the government remains on its toes and spends the money judiciously.

‘If you really want to know whether the government is doing well or not, just talk to ordinary people on the streets. The truth of the matter is that the government needs to sit up.’

The PDP chair noted that the state capital, Akure, had ‘never been this dirty,’ alleging that state resources were being channelled into projects that did not reflect the needs of ordinary citizens.

He faulted Aiyedatiwa administration’s decision to build new apartments for political office holders, while citizens grappled with soaring rents and housing shortages.

Aisida also raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the recent teacher recruitment, citing reports of fake appointment letters and extortion of applicants.

‘This government must sit up. People are suffering, and they need solutions, not window dressing,’ he said.

In a swift reaction, APC described the allegations as false and misleading.

The party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, said the governor had introduced several palliatives, farmer empowerment programmes and market stabilisation interventions to cushion economic hardship on residents.

He maintained that projects in health, education, agriculture, security and road infrastructure were ongoing across the state, dismissing PDP’s description of ‘cosmetic governance’ as a baseless attempt to discredit visible progress.

‘Clinics are being rehabilitated, schools supported and contractors are at work on bona fide projects across the state. These are measurable, verifiable investments – not cosmetics,’ he said.

On allegations of neglect in Akure, the APC spokesman said sanitation and road rehabilitation efforts were ongoing and challenged the opposition to provide verifiable instances of neglect for immediate action.

Otaloro also defended the provision of official accommodation for public officers as a cost-saving measure, reiterating the government’s commitment to affordable housing schemes for citizens.

Responding to the teacher recruitment controversy, he described the exercise as a well-received initiative, insisting that claims of fake letters and extortion were ‘irresponsible.’

He, however, assured citizens that a verification mechanism was in place and pledged to investigate any credible report of malpractice.

Dr Christopher Olusola Kolade, often called ‘Mr Integrity,’ passed away at the age of 92 on Wednesday. He was a teacher, broadcaster, corporate leader, diplomat, mentor, and moral compass.

Kolade’s life tells a story of character, courage, and unshakeable commitment to service.

Formative years

Born in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Kolade was raised in a home steeped in faith and discipline. From an early age, books, values and purpose defined him.

In the mid-1950s and as a young education officer under colonial rule, he taught and helped build the foundations of Nigeria’s educational system. That quiet beginning-rooted in discipline and service-foreshadowed the life of impact to come.

Voice of a nation

When Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960, the country needed not only leaders but voices. Kolade joined the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in the early 1960s and rose steadily to become its Director-General from 1972 to 1977.

Those were turbulent years, yet under his leadership, broadcasting in Nigeria sought dignity, balance, and national coherence. He was not merely an administrator but a craftsman of public trust, shaping programming, mentoring broadcasters, and insisting that the airwaves serve the nation’s unity.

His calm authority, clarity of judgment, and moral steadiness became part of NBC’s institutional DNA.

Corporate leadership

In 1978, Kolade made a remarkable transition-from public broadcasting to the corporate world-joining Cadbury Nigeria Plc. There, he rose through the executive ranks to become Chief Executive and later Chairman of the Board.

His tenure remains a reference point for principled corporate leadership in Nigeria. He demonstrated that profit and ethics could coexist, and that accountability could thrive even in difficult times.

Colleagues recall his refusal to compromise integrity for expedience-a man for whom the right way mattered as much as the successful way.

Beyond Cadbury, he championed good governance across the private sector. He chaired the Convention on Business Integrity and other organisations devoted to transparency and accountability. His service as President of both the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Institute of Personnel Management further strengthened his reputation as a moral steward of the nation’s institutions.

Diplomat and builder of minds

In March 2002, the then-President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed Kolade as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

For five years, he represented the nation with quiet grace, bridging cultures, deepening trade ties, and restoring dignity to Nigeria’s diplomatic image.

After his return, Kolade turned more deliberately to teaching and mentorship. From 1995 onward, he taught courses in Leadership, Corporate Governance, and Conflict Management at the Lagos Business School and the School of Media and Communication-both under the Pan-Atlantic University umbrella.

In 2009, he was appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University’s Governing Council, and later served as Chancellor of McPherson University, Ogun State. Through these roles, he invested not only in structures but in minds. He believed education was the ‘long game’-a means to nurture generations of leaders who would place integrity above ambition.

Faith, character, and legacy

What defined Christopher Kolade most enduringly was his character. Across the decades, he was described as humble, gracious, and remarkably consistent. Even in advanced age, he remained dignified, modest, and uncorrupted by acclaim.

A devout Christian, he was Lay Canon Emeritus of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Guildford, and a recipient of the Order of St. Augustine medal from the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1981.

His faith found expression in service: through the Christopher Kolade Foundation and the Christopher Kolade Centre for Research in Leadership and Ethics (CKCRLE), where he advanced education, youth development and public ethics.

He received the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2000 and held honorary degrees from the University of Sierra Leone and McPherson University.

Yet these honours only confirmed what many already knew: that Kolade’s integrity was his highest decoration.

A statesman, moral guide

Kolade’s story is not merely a record of positions held; it is a lesson in moral citizenship. He showed that excellence need not compromise character, that leadership is service, and that influence rests not on titles but on trust.

His influence lives on in the institutions he strengthened-NBC, Cadbury, Pan-Atlantic University, McPherson University; in the students and mentees who embody his teachings in ethics and governance; in the foundations and research centres that continue to promote his ideals; and in public memory, which remembers him as a bridge across eras-colonial, independent, democratic-and as a compass through them all.

Final reflections

Christopher Kolade’s passing feels like the closing of a chapter in our national story. Yet he leaves behind pages of wisdom and a torch for others to lift. The fields he walked-education, media, business, diplomacy, civic ethics-are each richer for his footprints.

To honour him is to renew our own commitment: to a public life where honour matters, to institutions that serve people, and to young Nigerians shaped in both skill and conscience. The true memorial to Kolade will not be in monuments or medals, but in lives lived by his example.

Integrity was his language, service his signature, and excellence-tempered by humility-his lifelong creed.

Farewell, Christopher Olusola Kolade. The race is run, the course is true, and your light does not fade.

The strong voice for art, culture

The late veteran broadcaster, Christopher Kolade, was former Director-General, Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).

Kolade, widely regarded as one of the architects of modern Nigerian broadcasting, spent decades shaping the airwaves and using them as tool to preserve culture, promote national identity, and set professional standards for the media.

He joined the NBC as West Regional Controller and rose through the ranks to become Director of Television in 1963 and Director-General in 1972. At a time when television was still in its formative years, he championed Nigerian content, insisting on programmes that reflected the country’s diversity and cultural depth.

Under his leadership, radio and television became vehicles for storytelling, with Yoruba theatre, Hausa folktales and Igbo music gaining nationwide attention.

In 1965, he initiated a folklore radio series that revived traditional stories for a modern audience.

During the civil war, he used music and drama broadcasts to promote unity, notably through the ‘Harmony Hour’ programme, which brought together different cultural sounds and voices from across the country.

He was known for his insistence on truth and integrity in broadcasting as he often reminded colleagues that the airwaves carried a responsibility to inform, educate and build trust.

He set professional standards that defined the golden era of Nigerian broadcasting, turning the NBC into a platform where culture and journalism co-existed.

His leadership went beyond Nigeria. Between 1973 and 1975, he served as President of the International Institute for Communications, advocating globally for media as a tool for cultural preservation and national development.

Kolade was also a strong supporter of the arts. He provided platforms for young playwrights and performers, including early works by Prof Wole Soyinka and other theatre pioneers. He saw broadcasting as more than news delivery- it was a cultural stage where art, music and performance could thrive.

Even after leaving the NBC in 1978, he remained a respected voice in media and arts. He later taught at Pan-Atlantic University and Lagos Business School, where he mentored young media practitioners and emphasized ethical storytelling.

His foundation, Christopher Kolade Foundation also supported cultural initiatives, theatre troupes and radio advocacy programmes, continuing his life’s work of linking art and communication.

In 2015, he published The Kolade Canons, a series of three volumes on African values, business and economy, nation building and ethics. The books also cover people, leadership and management.

The books, The Kolade’s Canons are published in three volumes containing what might best be described as Christopher Kolade’s ecclesiastical declarations over the last 40 years. The volumes contain first-class materials, based on highly cherished African values with foundations in universal principles, from a first-class mind.

This volume, Kolade’s Canons 2, focuses on Business and Economy, Nation Building and Ethics. Without sound ethics builders of lives, organisations or nations build on a false foundation.

The first volume, Kolade’s Canons 1, focuses on People, Leadership and Management.

In it he directs readers to enduring leadership principles which, if put into practice can lead to the transformation of individuals, enterprises and nations.

The third volume, Kolade’s Canons 3, is devoted entirely to Broadcasting, his second career start up.

The volumes are not textbooks but a collection of a refined gentleman’s speeches and teachings. They provide teachers, students, policy makers and policy executors deep insights to think and talk about, as well as test in the arena of practice.

The earliest papers date back 40 years, yet they remain relevant because they are principles-based; and because Dr. Kolade was also thinking for future generations. These publications were published by AuthorHouse.

Kolade: The diplomat

Kolade served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2002 to 2007, earning widespread respect for his diplomacy as well as humility, and the integrity he brought to the high commission.

He came into the role with an established reputation for ethical conduct from his earlier career in broadcasting and at Cadbury Nigeria Plc.

He upheld this reputation during his diplomatic service, which many observers noted with respect.

Kolade showcased his expertise and integrity on the global stage, particularly during his tenure.

The late broadcaster was admired for how he carried Nigeria’s name abroad with dignity. His personal conduct was seen as an asset to Nigeria’s diplomatic image.

He worked to promote Nigeria’s interests abroad, leveraging his reputation for integrity and professionalism.

The former high commissioner to the UK was widely praised for his tenure’s emphasis on improving public service delivery, particularly for tasks like passport renewal, and for demonstrating ethical leadership through his personal simplicity and diplomacy. He fostered a more efficient working environment within the High Commission and earned widespread respect for his frugal and moral bearing.

Kolade’s primary focus was on delivering efficient, tangible services to Nigerians in the UK, rather than personal advancement or staff changes.

He streamlined processes, leading to significantly faster service delivery for tasks like passport renewal, which previously took months.

His tenure was characterised by his own simplicity and adherence to high moral standards, setting a positive example for his workers.

He was known for his effective diplomacy and respectful approach to his role.

The late Kolade’s distinguished career as a diplomat significantly enhanced the reputation of the High Commission leading to others adjudging him of representing Nigeria with distinction in the UK.

Footprints of a business, corporate governance colossus

He bestrode Nigeria’s business, corporate governance and human resources management space like a colossus. And when he passed on, aged 92 yesterday, elder statesman, diplomat, and boardroom guru, Dr. Kolade, sure left indelible marks on the sands of time.

The former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, who was globally acknowledged as the embodiment of ethical leadership, sat atop some of Nigeria’s largest and reputable corporations and institutions, where he became a study in business integrity, honesty, service, and excellence.

For instance, he was Chief Executive and later Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc., Nigeria’s leading Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company, specializing in confectionary and beverages. Today, Cadbury owes much of its reputation as a trusted consumer brand to Kolade’s strategic guidance, strong corporate governance, and business ethics.

Those who were privileged to work with him attest to his significant contributions to Cadbury in the areas of institutionalizing a process and system for human capacity development and empowerment, establishment of a pipeline for executive replacement, and instituting a culture and system for innovation research and development.

The renowned industrialist emplaced a robust management trainee scheme, an excellence awards scheme, and a system of formal and informal appraisals at Cadbury. He was also credited with creating a unique staff identification system that was uncommon in its simplicity and application and different from the focus on designations and functions.

Prior to his hugely rewarding charge at Cadbury, Dr. Kolade, who began his professional life as an Education Officer in the colonial era, worked as a broadcaster. He rose through the ranks, becoming Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation. There, he championed professionalism and public-service values during a formative period for Nigeria’s media.

As a teacher, Dr. Kolade later taught corporate governance and human resources management at the prestigious Lagos Business School (LBS). The Erin-Oke, Osun State-born nonagenarian also taught leadership and conflict management at the School of Media and Communication (SMC), with company MDs, Chairmen and Directors as his students.

The LBS and SMC are schools of the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos. Formerly a member of the university’s Governing Council, Dr. Kolade also served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Pan-Atlantic University. He also served as Chancellor of McPherson University, Ogun State.

A common thread that ran through Dr. Kolade’s career and stewardship was his knack for integrity, a trait that was evident in all the organisations he chaired, such as The Integrity Organisation Ltd GTE and The Convention on Business Integrity Ltd GTE. His dedication to integrity and ethical leadership was second to none, and will continue to be an inspiration for generations to come.

The Christopher Kolade Centre for Research in Leadership and Ethics (CKCRLE), launched in October 2013, is dedicated to transforming Nigeria and Africa through cutting-edge research in leadership and ethics.

The Centre empowers organisations to enhance performance and tackle critical challenges by promoting ethical leadership practices.

Dr. Kolade, who, in his lifetime, consistently insisted that leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege, was also the Founding Patron of the Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI), which cultivates values-driven leaders in Nigeria and abroad. And with a public life marked by competence without corruption, his sobriquet, ‘Mr. Integrity,’ has become a standard Nigerians will measure themselves against.

With a richly rewarding career that spanned broadcasting, business, diplomacy, higher education, and civil society, late Pa Kolade, easily Nigeria’s most principled public figures, also acquitted himself well in the public sector, where he was, for instance, appointed pioneer Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) in 2012 by erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan.

He, however stepped down in 2013, citing the need to reduce energy-intensive commitments as justification. And that was when he celebrated his 81st birthday.

Other national and international organisations and institutions he led included The Nigerian Institute of Management, The Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, The International Institute for Communications, and The World Association for Christian Communication.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described Kolade’s passing as ‘agonising,’ saying he was ‘exceptionally brilliant, statesmanly diligent, and had unimpeachable integrity.’

He recalled 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.

‘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,’ President Tinubu said.

Kolade The Artsman

The late Dr. Kolade is a man of many parts, one of which include the world of art.

The former High Commissioner to the Court of St James expressed his love for music at different fora.

In 2001, the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) honoured him as one of the patriarchs of the culture community.

The late Dr Kolade’s love for the arts might have also stemmed from his days at the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (now the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria) where he rose through the ranks to become Director-General.

Until his demise, he was remembered for his professionalism, dignity, and insistence on ethical journalism while he was the DG.

The late Dr Kolade was close to the late Segun Olusola while they were alive. Their collaboration, it was said, helped lay the foundation for modern television and radio in the country.

Through the Christopher Kolade Foundation (CKF), which was launched in 1997, he rewarded individual achievement, innovation, and creativity in the field of music.

Former Super Eagles midfielder and Chelsea’s Africa Chief Scouting Manager, Seyi George Olofinjana, has defended his decision to become the brand ambassador of SuperWinleague Lottery, describing the initiative as a credible project designed to create opportunities for footballers and fans across Nigeria.

Olofinjana was officially unveiled on Wednesday in Lagos as the face of the new lottery brand and football project during a ceremony held at the MTN Office in Falomo. The event attracted sports administrators, corporate partners, and representatives from DayEmpire Sports Marketing Management Company Ltd, the organizers of the initiative.

Speaking at the unveiling, the Chief Operating Officer of DayEmpire Sports Management, Yemisi Ayodeji Daniel, said the project aims to connect sports, entertainment, and empowerment through strategic partnerships.

‘We are starting a big project today that creates opportunities for footballers, fans, and other stakeholders to fulfil their dreams,’ Daniel said. ‘We are therefore excited to have former Super Eagles and Stoke City midfielder Seyi George Olofinjana as our brand ambassador for the SuperWinleague Lottery and other projects.

‘This partnership with top telecommunications company MTN and a renowned footballer underscores the importance of the project. Their decision to come on board confirms that the project is anchored on integrity, promise kept, and protection of our core values as an entity. At DayEmpire Sports SMM, we not only keep our promises, we value integrity because we want to build an international brand that will stand the test of time,’ he added.

In his response, Olofinjana expressed confidence in the transparency of the SuperWinleague brand, stating that his decision to accept the ambassadorial role was based on the project’s credibility and potential impact on Nigerian football.

‘I’m staking my hard-earned reputation by identifying with this brand because I’m convinced that every promise made will be fulfilled,’ the former Nigerian international said.

The SuperWinleague Lottery and SuperWinleague Football Project are designed to offer footballers and fans unique opportunities to win prizes, earn trials with European clubs, and experience top-flight football first-hand. Winners will be rewarded daily with cash prizes, jerseys, and football boots, while the ultimate prize includes European trials for the best player and an all-expense-paid trip to England for selected fans to watch top Premier League matches.

Olofinjana, who represented Nigeria at the 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, enjoyed an illustrious club career with Stoke City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Hull City before moving into football management and scouting. His involvement with the SuperWinleague brand is seen as a boost to the credibility and visibility of the project.

The unveiling marks the beginning of what stakeholders describe as a ‘new era’ of football-inspired empowerment, with MTN’s partnership signaling a strong corporate commitment to sports development in Nigeria.

Lecturers at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) have showered encomiums on Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN. They described him as a man of integrity, humility, and uncommon character, whose decades of service to the university and the nation stand him out as a model public servant.

Prof. Amupitan, who has taught Law for decades and currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of the university, is being hailed by his colleagues as a principled academic and a man whose moral compass has remained unshaken despite his many accomplishments.

Speaking with The Nation in Jos, Prof. Taye Obateru of the Department of Mass Communication, who has known Amupitan for over 20 years, said the law professor’s humility and consistency are rare in the academic and public spheres.

‘I have known Prof. Amupitan for 20 years now, right from my days as a journalist before I joined the university,’ Obateru said. ‘He has always been humble and unassuming. People often say that when others get into new offices, they change, but not with this man. Even as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, he has not changed the way he relates with people.’

Obateru added that Prof. Amupitan’s brilliance and success have never affected his character.

‘He is successful both in private and public life. His wife, now an Associate Professor, and his well-brought-up children speak volumes about his values. Despite his achievements, he remains down-to-earth and approachable,’ he noted.

Dismissing rumours or suggestions of any impropriety, Obateru stressed: ‘To my knowledge, Prof. Amupitan has never appeared before any disciplinary panel in the university. Personally, if I were asked to nominate him as the next INEC Chairman, I would do so 100 times. I’m convinced he would perform excellently in that capacity.’

Also speaking, Dr. (Mrs.) Rabiatu Abdullahi Musa, Head of the Department of Public Law, described Prof. Amupitan as a mentor, family man, and devout Christian who embodies integrity in both his private and professional life.

‘I have known Prof. Amupitan for about 30 years now-since my undergraduate days,’ Musa said. ‘His wife was my classmate, and we were also together at the Nigerian Law School. I know the family very well. He is a good father, a good husband, and a disciplined professional who cares deeply for others.’

She described him as a man who ‘takes other people’s challenges as his own,’ adding: ‘To the best of my knowledge, Prof. Amupitan has never faced any disciplinary panel in the university. He is too disciplined and too committed to his job to earn even a query. He is a devout Christian and one of the most dependable colleagues anyone could have.’

Dr Musa, like others, strongly recommended him for national service.

‘Prof. Amupitan is the best man for the INEC job. He has all it takes to hold that office and excel. Even in my dreams, I will recommend him. President Tinubu, I believe, knows he is the right man for the moment,’ she said.

Similarly, Dr Yilkanq Wulenqkah of the Department of International Law and Jurisprudence described Amupitan as an ‘academic par excellence’ and ‘an incorruptible man of integrity.’

‘I have known Prof. Amupitan for close to 20 years-from my undergraduate days through to my PhD. He taught me at every stage. He is an intellectual giant and an academic of the highest standard,’ Wulenqkah said.

He lauded Amupitan’s humility and accessibility: ‘He accommodates everyone, never discriminates, and relates easily with people of all ages. Despite his academic heights, he remains humble. He is successful both in private and public life and has never been fingered in any problem in the university.’

Describing him as a legal luminary, Wulenqkah added, ‘He is vast in electoral and constitutional law. I would recommend him for any position anywhere in the world, not just in Nigeria.’

Across the University of Jos, the name Joash Amupitan, SAN, resonates not only as a scholar of distinction but as a man whose life, colleagues say, reflects discipline, faith, compassion, and incorruptibility – qualities they insist are rare and sorely needed in leadership today.