There are brands that fade with time, and then there are those that grow stronger with every generation that encounters their story.

For Kolade, he is a brand that transcends time

Dr. Christopher Kolade, CON, was not just a man but a brand,  a living testament to consistency, integrity, and the power of purpose.

Like a premium brand whose promise never falters, the Kolade brand stood on over time

Like a brand that sustains it brand promise, his brand stood on truth and authenticity while translating to brand loyalty around his personality

Over time, his brand has  refined itself through service, and sustained its strength with an unrelenting devotion to values that remained tall even in turbulent times.

His passing at 92 marks not an end but a transformation of the quiet evolution of a timeless brand into legacy form.

A Brand Born of Purpose

Born in Erin-Oke, Osun State, to a missionary father, young Christopher built his early life on discipline and duty.

Not only that, but also with devotion  to the three foundational pillars that defined his personal brand.

His journey from the hallowed halls of Government College, Ibadan, to Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone, did not merely reflect academic pursuit.

Instead, it shaped a voice that would one day influence nations, institutions, and minds.

Remarkably, he began his professional story in broadcasting, where his voice calm, intelligent, and deeply resonant became the first touchpoint of his brand identity.

As Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, Kolade led with vision and established a culture of credibility and civility that continues to serve as a benchmark in Nigerian media history.

The Corporate Custodian of Integrity

If broadcasting launched the Kolade brand, the corporate boardroom solidified it into an icon.

As Chief Executive and later Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, he blended ethical discipline with business innovation, proving that profit and principle could indeed coexist.

Every decision he made carried the subtle fragrance of integrity. .

Then, every boardroom he entered became a classroom in ethical capitalism.

To his peers in corporate Nigeria, he was more than an executive he became the brand ambassador of decency in leadership, the voice that made governance fashionable long before “corporate governance” became a buzzword.

 

From the Marketplace to the Nation’s Diplomatic Heart

When he transitioned into diplomacy as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, he did not switch careers; he extended his brand.

He carried the same premium attributes which were trust, credibility, and grace under pressure.

Wherever he represented Nigeria, he did not just  wear the flag; he embodied it polished, principled, and proud.

Later, as Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), his presence alone reassured the public that fairness and accountability could guide national policy.

The Kolade Archetype: Integrity as an Identity

Every great brand possesses an archetype a defining essence that shapes its identity.

For Christopher Kolade, that archetype was The Sage: known always to be wise, calm, moral, and eternally centered.

He didn’t merely teach leadership; he personified it.

His presence at the Lagos Business School and the School of Media and Communication, both at Pan-Atlantic University, went beyond academic influence as it became inspirational branding in motion.

He taught corporate governance as a living philosophy, mentoring generations who now carry his “brand DNA” into boardrooms and ministries across Africa.

The Consumer Experience: Encounters That Endure

For those who interacted with him students, professionals, clerics, policymakers the experience was unforgettable.

Like a fine product that leaves an aftertaste of excellence, the Kolade brand lingered long after meetings ended or lectures concluded.

His voice stayed with them. His wisdom replayed in moments of moral conflict. His humility humbled their pride.

He was a product of timeless relevance, one whose formulation was never diluted by trends or tainted by politics.

Brand Longevity and Legacy

Great brands do not retire but evolve.

Pa Kolade’s exit leaves a void one that no title, successor, or institution can fill.

Yet, his legacy continues to breathe through the many “brand extensions” he nurtured the mentees he raised, the institutions he shaped, and the values he immortalized.

Integrity was his logo. Wisdom was his color palette. Service was his slogan.

Equally important was the fact that  truth was the signature fragrance that followed him everywhere.

Even in passing, his influence remains, like the lasting scent of a premium cologne invisible yet unforgettable.

A Brand That Lives On

Brands like Christopher Kolade do not expire; they evolve into stories, philosophies, and movements.

They remain embossed in the hearts of those they touched not because of advertising, but because of authenticity.

He was, and remains, Nigeria’s gold standard of ethical leadership.

Also, a benchmark for every institution that still believes decency is not weakness, and that excellence must always have a moral spine.

Indeed, the Brand Called Christopher Kolade has transcended the mortal shelf life of men.

Ultimately, he will not be forgotten. This is because,  great brands, like great souls, never fade.
They live forever in the hearts they have refined.

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