The first executive Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, is dead, ending an era characterised by guts in political decision making when confronted with options or choices.
He died in the early hours of Thursday at the age of 91.
Lagos Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on his Twitter handle, wrote: “With gratitude to God for a worthy life well spent in the service of Lagos State, Nigeria and humanity, I announce the death of a venerable statesman, outstanding politician, public administrator and the first Civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode
“Baba Jakande’s record of service as a journalist of repute and a leader of remarkable achievements as governor of Lagos State will remain indelible for generations to come. His death is a collosal loss and he will be missed.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, I want to express my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and comrades of Baba Jakande. May Allah grant him Aljanat Firdaus, Aamin.”
The late Pa Jakande is expected to be buried according to Muslim rites.
Jakande, a former journalist became governor of Lagos State in Nigeria from 1979 to 1983, and later was Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime.
His administration as governor of Lagos state is still revered for the massive infrastructure development recorded during his four-year stint especially the numerous Jakande Estates built across many local governments in the State as well as sterling investment in schools.
Jakande, known as “baba kekere”, would be remembered among other things for the controversy spawned by his decision to serve in the Abacha regime against the wish of a clamorous political family in the Southwest with a strong sense of entitlement to Awoism.
The family believed Awo would not have kowtoed to legitimise a regime that was truncating the realisation of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential poll mandate custodied at the time by the Chief MKO Abiola who was detained and later died in the custody of the junta at the point General Abdulsalami Abubakar was in the saddle as Head of State.
THE CONCLAVE recalls that he was one of the five Obafemi Awolowo-led Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, governors in the Southwest and old Bendel State, namely Adekunle Ajasin (Old Ondo state) , Bisi Onabanjo (Ogun State), Bola Ige (Oyo state), Ambrose Alli (Old Bendel State) and Jakande (Lagos State).
His death thus qualifies as the exit of the last of the Mohicans of Awolowo’s governors in the defunct Nigeria’s Second Republic.
Photo Credit: Tribune
