Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has described the late Second Republic governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, as a political titan.
In a tribute yesterday entitled “Fare Thee Well, LKJ”, the former Federal Commissioner for Information stated that Jakande succeeded in carving a pristine niche for himself, on the Nigerian social and political landscapes.
He described Jakande as a notable journalist, who rose to the Position of Editor of the Tribune Group of Newspapers, in its glorious days.
According to him, “in politics, he held the Lagos Constituency for his Leader and Party, in a vice-like grip, before emerging as the First Civilian, and only Second Republic Governor of Lagos State, in 1979, re-elected in 1983.
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Nigerians, yesterday, expressed sorrow and paid glowing tributes as Lateef Jakande, the first civilian governor of Lagos State, died at the age of 91. x
His remains, according to his family, will be buried today.
His third son, Seyi, said he died in his sleep on Thursday, around 11 a.m., in his Ilupeju home.
Committee of Friends of the late ex-governor also confirmed the passing in a statement, which released details of the burial plan.
The statement was signed by Prof. Abisogun Leigh, former vice-chancellor LASU; Mr. Kamal Giwa; Prince Bayo Oshiyemi, Alhaji Gani Owolabi Dada; Mrs. Omolara Abeke Vaugh; and Alhaja Latifat Olufunke Gbajabiamila.
Jakande: The titan that took Lagos to modernity takes a bow
On
Deputy Editor
FONDLY called Baba Kekere, he was the governor of Lagos State elected in the “Class of 79” Governors of the Second Republic, under the platform of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, founded by late sage and nationalist, Chief Jeremiah Oyeniyi Obafemi Awolowo.
Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, also called LKJ was, as governor, contemporary of the likes of Alhaji Balarabe Musa of Kaduna State, Jim Nwobodo of Anambra State, Sam Mbakwe of Imo State, and back home in the South-west, he had late Olabisi Onabanjo of Ogun State, Ambrose Alli of the defunct Bendel State, Bola Ige of old Oyo State and Adekunle Ajasin of old Ondo State as political actors and state governors.
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Tears and emotions flowed freely on Friday evening as the remains of respected elder statesman and father of modern Lagos, Alhaji Lateef Jakande were buried at the Volts and Gardens Cemetery in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
Jakande, who died on Thursday at the age of 91, was Lagos governor between October 1, 1979 and December 31, 1983.
The interment was preceded by Islamic prayers at his residence in the Ilupeju area of the state.
His son, Deji, other family members, and respected Lagosians cried as his body was being interred after the Muslim prayers by the Chief Imam of Lagos, Abou-Nolla.
Fondly called
Baba Kekere,
Jakande was the governor of Lagos State from 1979 to 1983 on the platform of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).
He later became Minister of Works during the
Sani Abacha military regime between 1993 and 1998.
Jakande, who was also a veteran journalist, was born in Epetedo Area of Lagos State on July 23, 1923, to parents from Omu-Aran in Kwara.
He studied at Lagos Public School at Enu-Owa, Lagos Island, then at Burnham Memorial Methodist School, Port Harcourt from 1934 to 1943.
He also studied at King s College, Lagos in 1943 and then went to Ilesa Grammar School in 1945 where he edited a Literary Paper called the ‘Quarterly Mirror’.