NUJ mourns demise of ex-governor of Lagos, Lateef Jakande
On
By David Royal
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Chapter, on Thursday mourned the demise of Lagos state’s first civilian governor, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande.
Jakande who died at the age of 91 according to the Union was “an erudite journalist, publisher, administrator par excellence and a political giant”.
A press statement jointly signed by NUJ Lagos Chapter’s Chairman (Adeleye Ajayi) and Secretary (Tunde Olalere), noted some of his achievement thus; “he recorded massive infrastructure development during his tenure, especially in the areas of housing and education (building of schools)”.
GUEST COLUMNIST BY IBIKUNLE AMOSUN
Last Thursday, 11 February 2021, the world bade farewell to a legendary politico, unmatched welfarist, a model of integrity in public service and kind-hearted inspirational Elder, Father and Mentor for all times, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande. He died at the ripe old age of 91. Alhamdulillah.
There can be hardly any important aspect of the life, work, and times of Baba Kekere that have remained undocumented. As a legendary newspaperman himself, LKJ was well reported. His soar away accomplishments in journalism, public service, and politics have been well captured by the chroniclers of Nigeria’s contemporary political-historical development. I do not pretend to know Baba Jakande better than any of these documentary sources.
Jakande: Farewell to the architect of modern Lagos thecable.ng - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thecable.ng Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE! BY SIMON KOLAWOLE
You won’t believe this. As the Lagos state governor-elect in 1979, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande was so much in a hurry to hit the ground running that he appealed to all headmasters and principals not to demand or accept fees for the new academic session starting in September – in line with the free education policy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). But there was a snag: he was going to be inaugurated on October 1, by which time schools would have resumed. Navy Captain Ebitu Ukiwe, then-military governor of the state, had to politely remind Jakande that he remained the de facto governor till October 1 – and there could only be one governor at a time!
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday paid a condolence visit to the family of the first civilian governor of the state, the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande.