The Lagos State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has mourned elder statesman and first civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande who died on Thursday.
Mr Seye Oladejo, the state APC Publicity Secretary said this in a statement in Lagos on Thursday.
“His passage at this time is a colossal loss not only to the progressive family but also the entire state and our nation in general.
“His landmark achievements as an astute administrator in the governance of Lagos State in the areas of education, housing, health-care and social infrastructure remain enduring legacies in his memory.
“His demise at this trying time in the history of our nation when his rich experience would’ve been handy to resolve our national challenges is regrettable.
“We pray that Almighty Allah will forgive his short-comings, grant him eternal rest and the entire family, immediate and political, the fortitude to bear the great loss,” Oladejo said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jakande died in the early hours of Thursday at the age of 91.
Jakande, a former journalist was Lagos State Governor from 1979 to 1983, and later served as Minister of Works under the military government of Gen. Sani Abacha.
His administration as Lagos State Governor left a legacy of massive infrastructure development during his four-year stint especially through numerous Jakande Estates built across state as well as his sterling investment in education
Late Jakande laid foundation for development of Lagos – Oyo APC
The Oyo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has reacted to the death of Ahaji Lateef Jakande, former Governor of Lagos State, saying that he laid foundation for the development of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jakande, who was the first civilian governor of Lagos State died early hours of Thursday at the age of 91.
Speaking with NAN in an interview, the APC Chairman in Oyo State, Mr Akin Oke, said the death of the former governor was shocking and disheartening.
“ Apart from being a veteran and successful journalist , he was the one that laid the very solid foundation for the development of Lagos State.
“You can see his footprint all over Lagos State, you can see his impact everywhere you go in Lagos State.
“His policies on Education, Housing, infrastructure among others are top-notch and well targeted at helping the masses and making lives easy for the downtrodden.
“He will be sorely missed and pray that God grant him easy passage and be with his family at this trying time,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu mourns Lateef Jakande, first civilian Governor of Lagos
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday formally announced the death of the state’s first Civilian Governor, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande (LKJ).
Sanwo-Olu made the announcement through his verified Twitter handle.
He said that the remarkable achievements of Jakande as Governor in Lagos State would remain indelible for generations to come.
”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 Jakande.
”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,” he said.
Also, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, mourned the demise of Jakande, a veteran journalist.
NUJ, in a statement by Adeleye Ajayi, Chairman, and Tunde Olalere, Secretary, said: “We mourn the demise of the first Civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande (LKJ) at the age of 91.
“He recorded massive infrastructure development during his tenure, especially in the areas of housing and education (building of schools).
“A former Minister of Works and Housing. It is on record that he made it possible for people to attend schools and had shelters.
“He was an erudite journalist, publisher, administrator par excellence and a political giant.
“He made indelible marks in Nigeria’s political history dated back to his days in Action Group and UPN. Nigeria’s political history cannot be written without a mention of Jakande (Baba Kekere).’’
Jakande, in 1949, began a career in journalism first with the Daily Service and then in 1953 joining the Nigerian Tribune.
In 1956, he was appointed Editor-in-Chief of the Tribune by the owner, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Jakande’s editorials were factual and forthright, and were treated by the colonial powers with respect.
After leaving the Tribune in 1975, Jakande established John West Publications and began to publish The Lagos News.
He served as the first President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria
Lagos NUJ mourns Jakande
The Lagos Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has mourned the first Civilian Governor of the state Alhaji Lateef Jakande, who died at the age of 91 on Thursday.
Mr Adeleye Ajayi, the state NUJ Chairman in a statement in Lagos on Thursday, said that Jakande recorded massive infrastructure development during his tenure , especially in the areas of housing and education.
He said that the deceased, a former Minister of Works and Housing, made it possible for people to attend schools as well as provided shelter for them.
“He was an erudite journalist, publisher, administrator par excellence and a political giant.
“He made indelible marks in Nigeria’s political history dating back to his days in Action Group (AG) and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).
“There is no way Nigeria’s political history can be written without a mention of Jakande (Baba Kekere),” Ajayi said.
He prayed God for the repose of his soul and to give his family and Lagos State Government the fortitude to bear the loss.
OGD condoles Lagos Govt. over Lateef Jakande’s death
Former governor of Ogun, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, on Thursday, commiserated with the Lagos State Government over the death of Alhaji Lateef Jakande.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Pa Jakande, the first Civilian Governor of Lagos State died on Thursday at 91.
In a condolence letter, addressed to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and made available to NAN in Lagos, Daniel said he received the shocking news of the death of Pa 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 and an astute administrator, which made him near-invincible for death to go near.
“Of course, Alhaji 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, then and now.
“He was the ‘builder’ of the new Lagos as he remained 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 intervention in the housing sector was 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,’’ Daniel stated.
He noted that the Jakande’s 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 the state.
“His famed Metro line 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 are told.
“Indeed, Nigeria has lost one of the hardest working governors in its history.
“Adieu LKJ, the fabled Strong Man of Lagos Politics.
“I wish Lagos state and the entire family the fortitude to bear his painful passage, as I pray that God should grant his soul a great repose,’’ Daniel added.
