The Story Your path to the story
…Ex-Lagos Governor to be hurried after Jumaat service
….Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu, others mourn
Ibrahim Hassan
Son of the first elected governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, Deji has broken the silence over his father’s death, saying despite old age, the former governor didn’t show any sign of death before he passed on.
Speaking on his last moment, his son, Deji, a former House of Representatives member, said the former governor showed no sign of illness in the last 24 hours.
According to him, former minister took part in the ongoing revalidation exercise of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday.
Deji said: “We thank God for his life. He was not sick. He took his pap and crayfish yesterday. He was stil reading his newspapers without glasses.
“We had stopped visitors from going to him because of Covid-19 because he likes shaking people. Today (yesterday), he was about to take his breakfast. Suddenly, he couldn’t breathe again. We called the doctor to come and examine him. That was between 10.30 am and 11.am.
“Many people have been calling. The Governor, the deputy governor, the party chairman had called. He will be buried tomorrow after Jumat Service before 4pm at the Vaults and Gardens, Ikoyi.
The former Minister of Works passed on Thursday morning in Lagos at the age of 91. Until his death he was the only surviving second republic governor. He will be buried today after Jumat Service before 4pm at the Vaults and Gardens, Ikoyi.
Jakande also known as Baba Kekere was elected Governor in 1979 on the platform of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) led by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
He was former journalist who became governor of Lagos State in Nigeria from 1979 to 1983, and later was Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime (1993–98)
He was re-elected in 1983 general elections. He also served as Minister of Works and Housing under the Abacha regime.
Meanwhile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has mourned the passage the elderstaman, who is also the first executive governor of the state.
Reacting to his demise, the Lagos State Government, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described Jakande as an outstanding politician who laid the foundation of progress for Lagos.
“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 colossal 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,” Sanwo-Olu wrote on his social media page on Thursday.
Jakande was born in the Epetedo area of Lagos Island, Lagos State on 29 July 1929. Both parents are from Omu-Aran, Kwara State. He studied at the Lagos public school at Enu-Owa, Lagos Island, then at Bunham Memorial Methodist School, Port Harcourt (1934–43). He studied briefly at King’s College, Lagos in 1943, and then enrolled at Ilesha Grammar School in 1945, where he edited a literary paper called The Quarterly Mirror.
In 1949, Jakande 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 Chief Obafemi Awolowo. His 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 (NPAN).
Encouraged by Awolowo, he ran for election as executive governor of Lagos State in 1979, on the Unity Party of Nigeria platform. He defeated his opponents, Adeniran Ogunsanya of NPP and Sultan Ladega Adeniji Adele of National Party of Nigeria and was subsequently sworn in as governor. His administration was effective and open and implemented the cardinal policies of his party.
Show quoted text
