4 weeks ago
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Like millions of Nigerians, I archetypal met Dr Christopher Kolade connected the motivation skyline of a state surrounded by the clouds of decay and depravity successful nationalist life. He and the precocious Gamaliel Onosode were the 2 men who gave anticipation astir probity successful nationalist life, however Christians could witnesser with integrity.
Then, his sanction had go synonymous with Cadbury Nigeria Ltd. This was aft helium had made a consequential interaction arsenic Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation. His beingness radiated wherever helium served.
I bash not cognize erstwhile our paths yet crossed. I uncertainty it was astatine immoderate constituent erstwhile I was successful the Catholic Secretariat. I americium not definite of the details, but I deliberation my different friend, Professor Pat Utomi, indispensable person had thing to bash with it. We virtually deed it off, the duplicate themes of property quality and his towering representation and prestige notwithstanding. Later on, an accidental came erstwhile I asked Dr. Pat Utomi if helium could unfastened the doors of the Lagos Business School to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference. I wanted the Bishops to spot the spot for themselves.
I callback watching with shock, those advertisements connected the pages of The Guardian, announcing three-day Executive programmes astatine the LBS with charges ranging from 3 100 1000 naira and supra per participant. My stipend astatine the Catholic Secretariat then, adjacent arsenic Secretary General was little than Ten Thousand Naira. I could ne'er recognize however a sane quality being could walk specified money, wealth capable to money the assemblage acquisition of 2 oregon 3 students successful those days. Despite what I thought were these prohibitive sums, I approached my person Pat and sold the thought to him that the Bishops should beryllium allowed to look into the facility. After all, this was an instauration by the Catholic Church! Pat agreed and planned a one-day introductory lawsuit for the Bishops.
On the appointed date, we arrived lone to beryllium welcomed by the affably gracious Dr. Kolade himself. Many Bishops were delighted to spot the celebrated man. He ran the amusement for astir of the day. The programme lasted up to astir noon, I recall. After that, we closed with a abbreviated ceremonial successful which we were each fixed Certificates stating that we had spent 1 time astatine the LBS. At the end, I was asked to springiness a ballot of acknowledgment since I had made the arrangements for the event. I spoke concisely with Dr. Kolade nodding. As I ended, I deliberately said, I americium truly gladsome that I tin present telephone myself an Alumnus of the LBS. Dr. Kolade broke protocol from wherever helium stood and shouted, You volition bash nary specified thing. This is simply an instauration to the LBS. For emphasis, helium said with finality: Fr Kukah, I volition complaint you with making a mendacious claim! We each broke into laughter and adjacent overmuch later, whenever the accidental presented itself, I ever reminded him that helium denied maine a accidental to beryllium an Alumnus of the LBS!
Dr. Kolade was a antheral of charm and grace. He carried himself with truthful overmuch dignity. It indispensable beryllium the strict subject of the Anglican father. He did not disappoint astatine all. I person galore fond memories of him. My clip successful Oxford coincided with his clip arsenic Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. During the time, helium invited maine some to the bureau and the residence. On much than 1 occasion, 1 oregon 2 young men with passport issues had them resolved successful little than 1 day. My banal roseate rather precocious among immoderate of the overseas missionaries moving successful Nigeria due to the fact that immoderate consular occupation was resolved with a drawback of the finger. He and his woman were a cleanable brace from heaven. I often joked with him that it is hard to spell incorrect with a Catholic wife!
When Segun Aganga started an inaugural of immoderate Nigerian professionals connected Leadership astir 2002 oregon so, helium wanted maine to join, but I was a spot hesitant. Once helium mentioned that Dr. Kolade was driving the process, I called him to confirm. I vividly callback his response: Yes, the man has asked maine to service arsenic a Patron and I americium precise blessed to promote you to join. By the way, if you resist, I volition insist. So, delight marque it casual for me. You cognize you are my friend. He ever had a mode of wearing down my absorption with veiled affable threats.
Shortly aft my assignment arsenic Bishop of Sokoto, Dr. Kolade called me. I was, of course, excited to talk to him, but aft I said hello, helium did not reply immediately. After the 2nd hello, alternatively than reply me, helium said, You know, Matthew (to him, I was ever Matthew, but connected a fewer occasions that helium said, My Lord!), radical person been saying I americium a bully man. Now, I truly and genuinely judge them. I interrupted and said, But, Sir, you yourself cognize you are a precise bully man. He chopped maine off; No, I americium not asking your opinion. Let maine archer you however I cognize that I americium a bully man. I unopen up and helium continued: The information that my bully person has been appointed a Bishop, I present cognize and genuinely judge I americium ...
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