Dr. Christopher Ebhodaghe Abebe, Past President, NECA (1970- 1972,)

He was a renowned Nigerian Industrialist, astute manager, and administrator. Abebe had his formal education at the then Government School Uromi in present day Edo State, and shortly after he joined the services of the United Africa Company (Nigeria) Limited (UAC) in 1935 at the age of 16. He started as a Clerk and was promoted to Chief Clerk in 1944.

Abebe rose through the ranks and became the first African Group Personnel Director of the UAC in 1959 and ultimately became the Chairman and Managing Director of the company in 1972. He later retired from 4years in the services of the UAC to pursue other interests.

The deceased held several management positions in many professional bodies, which he belonged. He was the Chairman of the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), President of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), member of the National Labour Council (NLC) and member of National Universities Commission (NUC). He also served, at different times, as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Benin, Benin-City, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the University of Calabar, Calabar.  He was also honored with the Officer, Order of the Federal Republic in 1980 in recognition of his meritorious services to the country.

As a devout Catholic, he was conferred with the distinguished Papal Knighthood of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, which is one of the highest honors in the Vatican Honours Roll. Before this great honor from the Vatican, Abebe had been honored with the prestigious Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba. In fact, he rose through the ranks of the Knighthood to become a Fourth Degree Knight and later elected the Supreme Knight of the Order of St. Mulumba, thus attaining the highest position of the Order.

We commiserate with his family, the people and government of Edo State. May his soul rest in peace.