Christopher Ebhodaghe Abebe (1919 – 22 March 2018) OFR, KSM, KSS, known as "Pa Abebe", was a Nigerian human resources executive and later managing director of the United Africa Company (UAC) in Nigeria.[1]
Early life and family edit
Christopher Abebe was born in 1919.[2] His eldest daughter, Stella Obasanjo, was the wife of the former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo.[3][4]
Career edit
Abebe spent his whole career at the United Africa Company, beginning as an accounts clerk at Uromi in 1935. In 1951 he became the labour manager at Warri, the first indigenous African in the UAC to be appointed to that position. In 1958 he was appointed manager for African staff development and training for Nigeria and the following year became the first indigenous African to be appointed to the board of directors of UAC Nigeria. He became deputy chairman in 1972 and chairman and managing director in 1975.[2][5]
He retired in 1980 and was appointed an officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1981.[2]
Other activities edit
He was Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of three Nigerian universities (Benin, Nsukka and Calabar).[3][6]
Death edit
Abebe died on 22 March 2018.[7]
References edit
- ^ "Christopher Abebe (1919–2018)". The Sun Nigeria. 2018-04-14. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
- ^ a b c Unilever Archives & Records Management. (c. 2004) United Africa Company: A Brief Guide. Unilever: Wirral. p. 40.
- ^ a b Buhari mourns Christopher Abebe, ex-MD of UAC. Vanguard, 23 March 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
- ^ Adenekan, Shola (2005-11-04). "Obituary: Stella Obasanjo". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
- ^ Shonekan, others pay tribute to Pa Abebe. Tayo Oredola, The Guardian, 15 May 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
- ^ "Christopher Abebe (1919–2018)". The Sun Nigeria. 2018-04-14. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
- ^ PRESS RELEASE: ENCOMIUMS AS CORPORATE NIGERIA HONOURS ABEBE. Archived 2021-08-23 at the Wayback Machine NECA News Magazine, 27 May 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2019.