Cadbury Nigeria Plc, a subsidiary of Mondelēz International, has paid glowing tribute to a former Managing Director and later Chairman of the company, Dr Christopher Kolade, who passed away recently at the age of 92.

According to a statement by Cadbury’s Head of Corporate Communications and Government Affairs, Frederick Mordi, Cadbury Nigeria described Kolade, who was the company’s first indigenous managing director, as an “accomplished corporate colossus, a distinguished diplomat, and an intellectual giant that nurtured many business leaders.”

The Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria, Mr Adedotun Sulaiman, said, “The board, management and staff of Cadbury Nigeria join the family of Dr Kolade and indeed Nigerians to mourn the demise of one of the finest administrators that this country has ever produced.

“Dr Kolade played a key role in the transformation of our company and contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria’s human capital in various capacities. While we will miss him greatly, we are comforted in knowing that he left behind enviable legacies.”

The Managing Director of Cadbury Nigeria, Oyeyimika Adeboye, added that the late nonagenarian was a stickler for discipline, a symbol of corporate governance, and an advocate of strong ethical leadership.

“We flagged off our 60th anniversary with a fireside chat with Dr Kolade earlier in the year, as a mark of honour. The Cadbury Nigeria Alumni Association Annual Lecture is named after Dr Kolade, while a road within our corporate headquarters bears his name,” Adeboye stated.

The statement said Kolade joined the company in 1978 and retired in 2002. He served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2002 to 2007.

“He was a faculty member of the Lagos Business School and the School of Media and Communications, both affiliated with the Pan-Atlantic University. He taught corporate governance and human resource management at LBS and leadership and conflict management at SMC.

“Dr Kolade was also a former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Pan-Atlantic University and Chancellor of McPherson University, Ogun State, Nigeria.

“An ace broadcaster, he was a Fellow of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, Nigeria, among others. He was awarded the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger in 2000, in recognition of his contributions to nation-building,” it was stated.

The statement added that Cadbury Nigeria, which he helped nurture to greatness during his stint with the organisation, is recognised as a ‘Top Employer in Nigeria’ by the Amsterdam-based Top Employers Institute. The company is also listed among the ‘Top 100 Companies in Nigeria’ and the ‘100 Best Companies to Work for in Nigeria.’