By Nneka Nwogwugwu
Former Lagos State Governor, Lateef Jakande has died at the age of 91.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while announcing his death on Thursday, described Jakande as an outstanding politician who laid the foundation of progress for Lagos.
He said, “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.’’
Jakande was the first executive governor of Lagos State from 1979 to 1983.
He was governor of Lagos under the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria in 1979.
The former governor contributed positively to the practice of Journalism in Nigeria.
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).
Aside his journalism career, Jakande ventured into politics where he was made Lagos governor.
He later became Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime (1993–98).
Jakande was born in the Epetedo area of Lagos Island, Lagos State on 29 July 1929.
Both his parents were 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.