President Muhammadu Buhari believes former Governor of Lagos State, Chief Lateef Jakande, lived for the good of others, state and country, and his legacy of standing for all that was right for humanity would be long remembered.
The President, while condoling with family, friends and associates of the elder statesman, affirms that his imprint on the commercial nerve centre of the country, Lagos State, which was the former National capital, will continue to awe and inspire, reminding everyone of the strength of character and sacrifices of the visionary leader.
President Buhari notes contributions of the first civilian Governor of Lagos State and former Minister of Works to the growth of democracy and good governance in the country, describing him as a patriot, whose wisdom will run through generations, especially in putting people first in development plans.
The President joins government and people of Lagos State, Nigerian Union of Journalists, and Nigerian Guild of Editors, in mourning the veteran journalist, praying that the almighty God will receive his soul and grant him eternal rest.
Femi Adesina
It is with a mixed feeling of soberness and joy that I join relatives and admirers to mourn the demise of the late first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande.
I am sober because Alhaji Jakande until his passing today remained one of the last icons of our nationhood and in whose life is enormous examples that we can get inspiration from in the much-needed drive in rebuilding our psyche as a people.
In the same breath, I am happy that the late Jakande lived a remarkable life by his enigmatic stature as a journalist, an administrator and a politician.
His legacies in Lagos State, where he was the first civilian governor, remains emblematic of good governance and infrastructure development, not just in Lagos State but in the whole of the country.
His works in promoting qualitative public education and welfare in public service will continue to stand for him as a glowing tribute of the life of service that he lived.
I also join the government and good people of Lagos State to mourn the illustrious individual whose good name shall remain written in gold in our heart.
I pray that the Almighty Allah accepts his soul and grant him Aljannah Firdaus.
Atiku Abubakar
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.
Babajide Sanwo-olu
I commiserate with the Government and people of Lagos State over the passing of the state’s first civilian governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande. A veteran journalist, he was a high-flyer in public service, birthing landmark reforms and projects to better the lives of the people.
Godwin Obaseki
‘Loss to Nigeria’s democracy’, Yahaya Bello reacts to Lateef Jakande’s demise
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has described the death of the First Civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande as a loss to Nigeria’s democracy.
The Governor made this known on Thursday in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Muhammed Onogwu.
“Although Alhaji Lateef Jakande died at the ripe age of 91 years old, his wealth of experience and fatherly counsels would be greatly missed by the government and people of Lagos state and the country at large,” governor Bello alluded.
He continued; “His (Late Jakande) contributions to the stability of democratic practice being the first civilian Governor of the commercial hub of the country can never be undermined, hence, he remained one of the foremost leaders of the country.
“His administration as governor of Lagos state was still acknowledged for the massive infrastructural development recorded during his four-years, especially the numerous Jakande Estates built across many local governments in the State as well as sterling investment in the education sector.”
The Kogi Governor commiserated with the Jakande family, the Government and people of Lagos state over the loss of the revered leader and prayed for God to, grant him eternal rest, console the bereaved families and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
Alhaji Lateef Jakande was a journalist and became governor of Lagos State from 1979 to 1983, and later was Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime.
SOURCE
LKJ – Rest in Perfect Peace. JKF
Kayode Fayemi
Alhaji Lateef Jakande was an extraordinarily hardworking and visionary leader whose achievements as a governor are still being felt by the people of his home state, Lagos, and whose work as a Minister impacted lives across the country.
Although his loss is extremely devastating, he lived a full life in the service of his state and country. Hence, he will be dearly missed.
It is my prayer that Almighty Allah in his infinite mercy grants Alhaji Jakande a place in Al Jannah Firdaus. Amin.
Abubakar Bukola Saraki
My sincere condolences to the government of Lagos state and the immediate family of Pa. Lateef Kayode Jakande over the loss of their patriarch.
Baba was an exceptional leader, a true patriot and statesman who dedicated his long and distinguished life to promoting peace.
May his gentle soul, Rest In Peace. Thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones he left behind.
Ibrahim Dankwambo
In just 1 term (4 years) as Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande ensured qualitative free education to all,
provided low and medium cost housing for the masses, opened up Lagos with good quality roads, brought potable water to the people.He started a mass transit metro line that was truncated by the military. He remained a humble public servant to the very end.
A truly rare gem in our time. He remains an exemplar of what progressive & people focused leadership should be and can achieve in a short time.I bid Farewell to a politician who sought power for service rather than for self.
My sincere condolences to the entire Jakande family.
May his soul find peace. Amin.
Jimi Agbaje
Lagos Assembly mourns a Legend, Master Builder, An Administrator.
We stand solemnly in a minute silence to honour your departure.
Rest in Peace Alhaji Lateef Jakande.
Lagos State House of Assembly
No Lagos governor has surpassed Jakande’s feats — PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State says no governor has surpassed or come near the achievements of late Lateef Jakande as first civilian governor of the state.
The PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr Gani Taofik, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, while reacting to the death of Jakande on Thursday in Lagos.
“What a very wrong time for such a man to die! We still need him very greatly, especially in this democracy.
“He was the kind of person that should be on ground to really guide all leaders in the country, not only in Lagos State.
“All his achievements in Lagos have never been met or surpassed. Unfortunately, in Lagos State, we have not had any governor whose performance was near Alhaji Lateef Jakande’s performance.
“So, the challenge is only for those who are either serving now or who will be serving to try to see how to surpass Lateef Jakande’s feats,” Gani said.
The spokesman said Jakande was selfless in service, and many became educated today because of his free education.
According to him, Jakande’s legacies are unparalleled, hence, Feb. 11 must be a public holiday for his honour annually.
“All politicians must pray to be like LKJ (Lateef Kayode Jakande) for them to enjoy peace after service. Alhaji Lateef Jakande was not materialistic or ambitious, which made him to achieve all he achieved.
“The problem we have now is ambition without vision. Most political office holders get to the office with the mind of going higher to the next position. We will so miss him.
“He must be immortalised greatly for the unborn children beyond naming a school after him. Jakande made Lagos State what is it today. He lived well,” Gani said.
He prayed God to repose his soul and grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
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 housing estates built across state as well as his sterling investment in education.
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