By Valentine Amanze, News Editor
Tributes continued to pour in on Thursday for the former governor of Lagos State, Lateef Kayode Jakande, who died today, aged 91.
Jakande, a renowned journalist and elder statesman, governed Lagos during the aborted Second Republic between 1979 and 1983.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Thursday said Jakande will 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 Honourable 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.
“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,” Sanwo-Olu wrote.
“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.”
The Governor reminded Lagosians that the best way to immortalise ‘LKJ’ as late Alhaji Jakande is popularly known, is to ensure that good governance the deceased advocated spreads to every facet of the Nigerian society.
Jakande was a selfless, honest and faithful leader, says Uzodimma
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State also mourned Jakande’s death, describing him as one of the honest, selfless and faithful leaders Nigeria has produced.
Recalling the life and times of the former governor of Lagos State, Uzodimma said Lagos Sate in particular and Nigeria in general will sorely miss Jakande because of his populist programmes that stood him out as governor endeared him to the people.
Governor Uzodimma regretted that Nigeria has lost such a humble, sincere, committed progressive leader whose legacies, both tangible and intangible, are there for everyone to see, when his wise counsel was still needed.
A statement by his media aide, Oguwike Nwachuku, said, “The Imo State governor therefore commiserated with the Government and people of Lagos State over the loss and encouraged them to be consoled by the fact that Alhaji Jakande, popularly called Baba Kekere, left imprints that today’s generation and generation yet unborn will point to and learn lessons from.”
Obaseki mourns death of Lagos first civilian gov, Lateef Jakande
In the same vein, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has mourned the passing of Jakande.
The governor, in statement, said the former governor was a high-flyer, who contributed immensely to the development of Lagos State and built durable legacies that would outlive him.
According to him, “I commiserate with the Government and people of Lagos State over the passing of the state’s first civilian governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande. A veteran journalist, he was a high-flyer in public service, birthing landmark reforms and projects to better the lives of the people.”
Noting that as former governor, Jakande built durable legacies, the governor said he would be remembered for his giant strides in governance and development of the country.