Some Lagos State Council Chairmen have mourned the passing away of the first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande.
Jakande, 91, died on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 in Lagos State.
Alhaji Ganiyu Egunjobi, the Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government, said that till his death, Jakande was a worthwhile statesman who contributed immensely to the development of Lagos State.
“His good works will be forever remembered in the state,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Mr Emmanuel Bamigboye, Executive Chairman, Mushin Local Government, who had signed the condolence register at the residence of late Alhaji Abdullateef Jakande, at Ilupeju, Mushin, said the demise of the elder statesman was a huge loss to the state and nation.
Bamigboye commiserated with the family and had a brief discussion with the wife of Jakande as well as Mr Seyi Jakande, Vice Chairman, Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, on the burial arrangements of the late Jakande.
“I express my heartfelt condolences to the wife and family of Alhaji Abdullateef Jakande, former Governor of Lagos State, who died on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 at the age of 91.
“Baba Kekere, as he was fondly called, was a great man, worthy of emulation.
“Also, I sympathise with the good people of Mushin and Lagos at large on the demise of a leader par excellence, the first civilian Governor of Lagos.
“We will definitely miss you and your legacy will continue to live forever.
“May the almighty Allah give his family, friends and people of Lagos, the fortitude to bear the loss and may the soul of late Alhaji Abdullateef Jakande rest in peace,” he prayed.
Also, Princess Samiat Bada, the Executive Chairman of Ikosi-isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), also mourned the passing away of Jakande.
According to her, till his death, Jakande was a worthwhile statesman who had contributed immensely to the growth of Lagos State.
“May Allah grant Alhaji Jakande , a.k.a ‘Baba Kekere’, Aljannah Firdaus,” she prayed.
The late Lateef Jakande was the governor of Lagos State from 1979 to 1983 on the platform of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).
He later became Minister of Works during the Sani Abacha military regime between 1993 and 1998.
Jakande, who was also a veteran journalist, was born in Epetedo Area of Lagos State on July 23, 1923, to parents from Omun-Aran in Kwara.
He studied at Lagos Public School at Enu-Owa, Lagos Island, then at Bunham Memorial Methodist School, Port Harcourt from 1934 to 1943.
He also studied at Kings College, Lagos in 1943 and then went to Ilesha Grammar School in 1945 where he edited a Literary Paper called the ‘Quarterly Mirror’.
Baba Kekere is known for his visionary leadership and for bringing development to Lagos State during his tenure.
