BEVERLY HILLS, February 11, (THEWILL) – The first civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, died this morning.
He died at the age of 91.
The man fondly called “Baba Kekere” (“Small Father”) to signpost his exemplifying the ideals and programmes of the iconic Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the doyen of Western Nigeria politics, reportedly died in his Lagos home.
A statement released some moments ago by Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, confirmed the passage of the Elder Statesman.
Sanwo-Olu 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 Jakande.”
Political devotees of Awolowo had labelled Jakande with the sobriquet BABA KEKERE in anticipation of his stepping into the shoes of the Founder of the First Republic party, Action Group (AG), and the Second Republic-spun Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).
Jakande was regarded as heir apparent to the legendary leader of Nigerian Progressives, those following the five pillars of Awo’s philosophy predicated on “Welfarism and Egalitarianism.”
Jakande was a leader in both parties and went on to win the Lagos governorship on the UPN platform in 1979.
He won a second term in 1983, until a military coup led by General Muhammadu Buhari aborted the Second Republic.
Mourning the passage of the Elder Statesman, Sanwo-Olu recalled that, “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.
“May Allah grant him Aljanat Firdaus, Aamin.”
After serving as Lagos Governor from 1979 to 1983, Jakande later became Minister of Works under the General Sani Abacha military regime (1993–98).
Both his parents hailed from Omu-Aran in present-day Kwara State.
Born in the Epetedo area of Lagos Island, Lagos State on 29th July 1929, Alhaji Jankande 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.
He also worked at the Nigerian Tribune owned by Awolowo and went on to found his own newspaper, The Lagos News through his company John West Publications.
