Dr Kolade @ 85: Simply Radiant

The notice was brief. Perhaps meant only for those who would ordinarily not know, otherwise it was ‘not necessary’. It was also not an invitation because there was no planned event. Notice. That is all it was.

This December 28, Dr Christopher Kolade, former Nigerian ambassador to the United Kingdom, broadcaster of broadcasters, corporate leader, teacher and integrity personality, turned 85.

Family, friends, relatives, associates and representatives of groups strolled into his Lagos home to say happy birthday to the man who is becoming more prominent as Dad CK.

His 75 year-old sister (Chief Mrs Mercy Aladegbaiye) whose hilarious jabs was the colour the occasion required, reminded him on this auspicious day that among the numerous visitors surrounding him, he was the oldest. Why are most of the people around you in their 70s?

This is the response from a man whose best attribute is perhaps speaking to people: “These are the ones that I can send on errand and I can be rest assured that they will deliver those messages correctly.”

Coincidentally, also among the number of persons who came to honour Dr Kolade at 85 were two year-olds, teenagers and men and women in their 40s and 50s. As his sister rightly observed, there were only a few octogenarians among the visitors. The retired Bishop of Lokoja Anglican Communion who breezed in with his wife, may have diluted the crowd. He is 80.

One irony this quintessential Nigerian had to deal with is that while he is a consummate speaker to people, his audience continues to grow by the day but they are much younger men and women. The crowd of those in his age group continues to thin out.

And this is what stands Dr Kolade out from the rank of the aged in our society. In a manner that constantly beats the imagination of his audience, not only is he patient with the youth, he out performs the younger persons in numerous ways.

Yet, this unique Nigerian has succeeded in overcoming some of the challenges that comes with old age. Time management is one of the hallmarks of Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to The United Kingdom.

Another attribute apart from the gospel of integrity for which he is celebrated, at 85 he stuns his audience often when he stands for hours, passing about with calculated steps as he delivers talks of enduring values.

Never given to complaints rather, he seats through the wobbles and faulty steps of the younger generation with a princely quietness.

On this occasion of his 85th birthday anniversary, not only did Dr Kolade seat through the hilarious banters with his younger guests, he stood longest at the cakes table affording different groups the opportunity to record the memorable event of cake cutting in pictures.

Ever so modest in all his ways, with reluctance he acknowledges that he has accomplished anything in life through human ability instead, as he once reminded this writer:

“Yes, I was the head of broadcasting, I was chief executive at Cadbury Nigeria, and went on to The United Kingdom as High Commissioner at a time I didn’t expect to, but remember that all of these are titles bestowed upon me by men and they could easily be taken away but, there is only one title which no man can take from me.

“And that title is, Christopher Kolade, son of God.”

This brief on Kolade at 85 is the handiwork of this writer, it does not have his permission because his modest disposition to life will obviously not permit. The consequences may be grievous but they are worth bearing.

The humongous accomplishments of the current Chancellor of McPherson University, Chairman of The Convention on Business Integrity, Board of Trustee Chairman of Kingdom Men Global Network and founder of Managing Business for Christ (MBFC), serve as models for new Nigeria.  

Retired from several assignments but for the other numerous commitments some of which are listed above, life has just begun @ 85 for this Nigerian of all seasons.