Obasanjo, others extol Kolade’s virtues at book launch

[TGD]

 FRIENDS and associates, including former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Thursday extolled the virtues of the Chairman, Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), Dr. Christopher Kolade, whom they described as an exemplary leader worthy of emulation by all Nigerians.

They spoke at the public presentation of a book on Kolade, the Pro-Chancellor, Pan-African University, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos. The book, titled Kolade's Canons and edited by Richard Ikiebe, is in three volumes and are a compilation of speeches and lectures delivered over the years by Kolade. Essentially, it comprises Canon 1:  People, Leadership, Management; Canon 2 Business and Economy, Nation Building, Ethics; and Canon 3 Broadcasting.

Obasanjo, who said he flew into the country from Ghana where he was attending an event and had to terminate an appointment with the Ghanaian president to attend the book launch, described Kolade as a good friend and an asset to not just Nigeria but humanity. He recalled the days of Kolade as the Nigeria's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and declared that he made tremendous impact, which helped his administration when he was president.

And as if echoing the thoughts of many Nigerians regarding the Federal Government's programme to improve the nation's infrastructure and generate employment from the proceeds of the oil subsidy removal, Obasanjo declared at the event that he did not understand the real intent of the SURE-P.

"I will never be tired in showing up with everything that concerns Christopher Kolade. He is a gift, not only to Nigeria and Africa, but also to humanity as a whole. In his service to the country as the Nigerian High Commission in London, at the time he agreed to be exported, he made tremendous impact and also helped me and my administration, but I don't know about SURE-P."

He continued: " I've not sent anybody to you but I've got several people who have been coming to me, asking me to send them to Kolade, because he is in charge of SURE-P, but I always tell them I don't know what is SURE-P."

He, however, told the audience that "when we were celebrating Kolade's 80th birthday, even those who have misgivings, reservations about his taking up that assignment, he gave satisfactory explanations, because if he doesn't do it, he knows those of us who will complain, and I'm a complainant about the situation in my country. If you don't feel concerned about what is bad, you will not bring about what is good."

Other dignitaries at the event included the Dr Paschal Dozie (Chairman), Prof. Emevwo Biakolo (reviewer), Ikiebe, Mr Oba Otudeko (presenter), Vice Chancellor of the Pan-African University, Prof. Juan Elegido, Kolade's wife, Beatrice, Mr. Fola Adeola and representatives of the Ondo, Ekiti and Osun states governors. They poured encomiums on Kolade, describing him as an honest, industrious and highly committed Nigerian.



The Guardian