Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the first Civilian Governor of the State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande.
Also, a former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and the Nigeria Union of journalists (NUJ) commusera
Jakande, a renowned journalist and elder statesman, who governed Lagos State during the aborted Second Republic between 1979 and 1983, died on Thursday at the age of 91.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, on Thursday, said the late Jakande would remain one of the best public office holders in the political history of Nigeria based on how he transformed Lagos State and Nigeria during his tenure as Minister of Works.
The Governor said Alhaji Jakande popularly referred to as “Baba Kekere”brought a lot of development to Lagos State as governor between October 1,1979 and December 31, 1983 in line with the five cardinal programmes of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), founded by the late sage and former Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
The Governor also described the former Minister of Works as an epitome of honesty, dedication and selflessness, who used his elevated positions for the betterment of the people he served.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the late Alhaji Jakande was one of the few Lagosians and Nigerian leaders that demystified politics by bringing governance closer to the people.
He said Jakande left with impeccable records in Lagos State and that was why he remained till date, a reference point for governors in Lagos and other parts of the country.
He said: “On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, I want to express my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and associates of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande as well as members of the progressive community.
“No doubt, the death of Alhaji Jakande is a colossal loss to Lagos State and Nigeria. He made lots of positive impact and contribution during his lifetime to the growth of our dear State by introducing housing and educational programmes that targeted the poor, building new neighbourhood primary and secondary schools and providing free education for all.”
“Baba Jakande within his four years in office established the Lagos State University. His government constructed over 30,000 housing units,which were of great value to the masses.
“Having distinguished himself as ‘Action Governor’, Alhaji Jakande was appointed Minister of Works in 1993 where he replicated his developmental programmes, by building thousands of housing units in different parts of Nigeria as Federal Low Cost Housing Estates.”
The Governor added that the late Jakande’s selling point was not only in politics but journalism, his chosen profession.
“Alhaji Jakande also made remarkable contributions to the media industry as a respected journalist and media manager. He used the power of the press to influence positive changes in the country’s social and political landscape.”
The Governor reminded Lagosians that the best way to immortalise “LKJ” as the late Alhaji Jakande was popularly known, is to ensure that good governance the deceased advocated spreads to every facet of the Nigerian society.
▪︎Gbenga Daniel mourns
A former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel in a letter to Governor Sanwo-Olu, titled “Demise of Alhaji Kayode Jakande: My Condolences” said:
“I received the shocking news of the death of first civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande with the greatest disbelief.
“My disbelief is not connected in any way to the fear for his ripe old age, but for the myth which ‘Baba Kekere’ invoked in many of us young men in the then Lagos State as a great achiever, an astute administrator which made him near invincible for death to go near.
“Of course Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande did not die; could not have died as his immortal body remained interred in all the visible projects which dotted the landscape of Lagos, old and New, then and now. He was the ‘Builder’ of the new Lagos as he remain a myth in cosmopolitan administration to successive governments in Lagos state years after him.
“I remember vividly his creative intervention in the chaotic education system in Lagos State then as soon as he assumed office as Governor.
“Several secondary schools were compelled to run three shifts and his unprecedented efforts to return the school system back to normal with his now famous “Jakande Schools”.
“His interventions in the Housing Sector were no less ingenious and creative with a Mass Housing scheme for the less privileged. Many of his Low-Cost “Jakande Housing Scheme still dot the landscape of Lagos State.”
“His pioneering efforts in founding the Lagos State College of Science and Technology (now the Lagos State Polytechnic) where I was a pioneer Lecturer at the School of Engineering, redefined the concept of Higher and Vocational education in Lagos State.
“His famed Metroline project which he conceived over 40 years ago clearly defined the character and strength of his vision which would have resolved the chaotic transportation problems in Lagos State. Today, that vision remains a road not taken and the problems persist.
“His footprints are visibly stamped on almost every sector of the economy; from education to health to infrastructure development.
“He will be greatly missed and forever remembered each time the history and development of Lagos is told.
“Indeed, Nigeria has lost one the the hardest working Governor in its history. Adieu LKJ, the fabled Strong Man of Lagos Politics.
“I wish you and the entire family the fortitude to bear his painful passage, as I pray that God should grant his soul a great repose.
▪︎NUJ mourns too
The Nigeria Union of Journalists has announced with sadness, the painful death of a veteran Journalist and first civilian Governor of Lagos State from 1979 to 1983.
In a statement by the National President Comrade Chris Isiguzo, the Union said Chief Lateef Jakande passed on at the age of 91 in Lagos.
“As a Nigerian journalist who became governor of Lagos State, and later Minister of Works under the General Sani Abacha military regime, late Baba Jakande would be remembered for his life of consistent commitment to journalism and to public service.
“His life and times epitomized resilience, positive audacity, bravery and bravado, and a knack for excellence,” Isiguzo said.
The NUJ said it would continue to cherish his mentorship, guidance and contribution to the growth of Journalism in the country and support to the Union.
“It is painful, however, that Baba Jakande died at the time when another media Titan, Prince Tony Momoh was being laid to rest in Lagos.
“Baba Jakande began his journalism career first with the Daily Service In 1949 and then in 1953 he joined the Nigerian Tribune, rose to the rank of editor-in-chief of the Tribune, established John West Publications and began to publish The Lagos News. He served as the first President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN). He will be greatly missed.
“While extending our condolences to his immediate family, the people and Government of Lagos State and the Media Community, we pray that the Almighty Allah will forgive his shortcomings and dwell his soul in Jannatul Firdaus,” Isiguzo added.
