The immediate past chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme, Dr. Christopher Kolade said he knew his reputation was at a great risk when he accepted his appointment to chair the committee. According to him, that was why he served in the committee without remuneration.
“Many people warned me against taking up the role of chairing the SURE-P committee. They didn’t understand why I should accept to do it. They were worried about my reputation but I said to them, that whoever wants to destroy my reputation must first of all destroy me. So I had to accept the job because I want to continue to ensure that things work in this country,” said Kolade at the 6th Christopher Kolade Symposium organised by the Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI) in Lagos.
According to him, close associates, relatives and well wishers advised him not to accept the job, but he put his reputation on the line in order to show leadership and to prove that Nigeria needs such courage from good individuals to make things work.
He commended the NLI for sustaining the programme, noting that conversation around value-based leadership as exemplified by the NLI shows that yhere is hope for Nigeria. He urged NLI to continue.
Kolade challenged all Nigerians, especially young people to take personal responsibility for the leadership change in the country, if we truly want change.
Speaking earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of NLI, Yinka Oyinlola said the symposium was instituted to honour, while inspiring the emulation of the life of Dr. Kolade who has served Nigeria selflessly.
