Dr Christopher Abebe, the father of the late Stella Obasanjo who was the wife of Olusegun Obasanjo has died at the age of 99.
Dr. Abebe was the former boss of the United African Company (UAC).
His death was announced in a statement by his son, Dr. John Abebe, who stated that his father died in Iruekpen, Edo State, after a brief illness.
The statement said in part;
“In his lifetime, he joined the United African Company Nigeria Limited as a young clerk and rose through the ranks to become the first Nigerian Chairman/Managing Director of the company. He was also the first Nigerian Personnel Director of UAC in 1959.
“He was at various times the pro-chancellor and chairman of council of three Nigerian universities: the University of Benin, the University of Nsukka and the University of Calabar.
“On his retirement from the UAC, he became the first Nigerian Chairman of the Nigerian Breweries. A devout Catholic, he was a Papal Knight of the St. Gregory’s and Supreme Knight of St. Mulumba.”
In the statement, it was also stated that Dr. Abebe was survived by his wife of nearly 75 years, Mrs. Theresa Abebe, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
His Daughter Stella Obasanjo was the first lady while Olusegun Obasanjo was president and was also a staunch supporter of women empowerment and growth. She died in October 2005 in Puerto Banús, Spain