From time to time, the lives of our past heroes come under focus in order to help the present crop of leaders to learn from them. The life of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the late former governor of Lagos state, remains an inspiration from every perspective; SUNNY IDACHABA writes.
Journalism right from inception had always boasted of the best in the country despite the death knell on prominent members of this noble profession and subsequent switch to politics.
Probably until now, not many people knew that the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the former governor of Lagos state was one of journalism’s finest right from the early 40s before he ever ventured into politics in the Second Republic.
According to available reports, he began his career in journalism at a young age, editing a literary paper called The Quarterly Mirror while still in school. He later joined the Daily Service newspapers in 1949 and moved to the Nigerian Tribune in 1953 where he became the editor-in-chief in 1956. His passion for journalism led him to establish John West Publications and The Lagos News after leaving the Tribune in 1975.
In the newspaper industry, he was a pioneer in many ways. For instance, he was the first African to lead the International Press Institute (IPI) Board and the first president of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).
In his lifetime, he received numerous accolades for his contributions to journalism before he passed away on February 11, 2021, at the age of 91.
Encouraged by Awolowo, he ran for election for governor of Lagos state in 1979 and won on the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) platform. Having won the election, he ran an open administration and implemented the cardinal policies of his party by introducing mass housing and educational programmes that target the poor. In particular, he constructed new neighbourhood primary and secondary schools and introduced free primary and secondary education throughout the state.
One fact remains certain that during his tenure as Lagos governor, he implemented several developmental projects, including the construction of over 30,000 housing units and the establishment of Lagos State University. His administration constructed over 30,000 housing units located in many parts of Lagos like Amuwo-Odofin, Ijaiye, Dolphin, Oke-Afa, Ije, Abesan, Iponri, Ipaja, Abule Nla, Epe, Anikantamo, Surulere, Iba, Ikorodu and Badagry.
To fund some of these projects, meant essentially for low income earners, he increased tenement rates and price of plots of land in areas like Victoria Island and Lekki Peninsula. Lagos being the centre for lottery, pools and gaming, he increased their processing licenses also in order to fund the projects.
In following up with his development programmes in the health sector, Jakande went ahead and completed the construction of general hospitals in Gbagada and Ikorodu, built additional 20 health centres within the state.
Long after he left office as governor, he had little success coming to limelight until 1993 when the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, appointed him minister of works, a position he took, as according to him, having been convinced by MKO Abiola.
It is, however, on record that his association with Abacha handicapped his career in politics after democracy was restored in 1999. Because of this, many of his political allies viewed his moves with suspicion. For instance, he was a senior member of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) when the UNPP and All People’s Party (APP) merged, but in June 2002, he was suspended by a faction of the ANPP loyal to Chief Lanre Razaq.
Again, he was the first chairman of the Action Party of Nigeria (APN) when it was formed in November 2006, but in May 2009, he was allegedly engaged in a struggle for control of the party with another former ally of his, Dr. Adegbola Dominic. Because of these, he could not plant his feet in the political arena of the new democratic dispensation in the country.
During his 75th birthday ceremony in Lagos, it was attended by many prominent people. For instance, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former governor of the state who was in attendance noted that Jakande was someone worth celebrating for his life of consistent commitment to public service.
In the same way, former Imo state governor Achike Udenwa said his life and times epitomised the spirit of resilience, positive audacity, bravery, bravado and a knack for excellence.
Following his death, encomiums poured in for the former Lagos governor at 91.
Speaking earlier during a special fidau in honour of the former governor at his Ilupeju residence, Governor Sanwo-Olu represented by his deputy Hamzat described late Jakande as an embodiment of all the positives.
He said the former governor was a great man who cared and served his people meritoriously when he had the opportunity to serve them.
“Baba Jakande was just an example of what all of us should aspire to be; a great man, humble, selfless, loyal, and dedicated. So, he is an embodiment of all the positives. A great man that served his people when he had the opportunity to serve! A man that cared for the people and a fantastic journalist,” he said.
Signing the condolence register, Hamzat personally wrote, “Baba was a great leader in the state of Lagos. The developmental strides he put in place are unprecedented and a great leader in Nigeria; a thoroughbred Awoist and a man of the people!”
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo on his part in a condolence letter to the deceased’s widow said Jakande would be remembered as a fine journalist.
According to Obasanjo, the late former governor served the country principally through journalism and newspaper management before becoming a politician.
“He would be remembered as a fine journalist and one that was greatly admired by the general public and his peers as a straight-forward and complete gentleman majorly,” Obasanjo said.
On his part, former vice president, Atiku Abubakar though expressed sadness over the death of the statesman, but said he was happy that he lived a remarkable life by his enigmatic stature as a journalist, an administrator and a politician.
“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, 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 are 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 legacy in Lagos state where he was the first civilian governor, remains emblematic of good governance and infrastructure development.”
Bola Tinubu, in his condolence, described Jakande as the “last of the political titans” ranking with the likes of Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe; Adekunle Ajasin; Abraham Adesanya; Bola Ige’ Olabiyi Onabanjo; Balarabe Musa, and Aminu Kano, among others.
“The late Jakande was also a mature statesman never given to histrionics or fanning the embers of disunity,” he said.
His erstwhile constituency, the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) described its pioneer president’s death as shocking. In a statement jointly signed by Kabiru Yussuf and Mohammed Idris, then president and secretary respectively, NPAN said Jakande mid-wifed the association from infancy, stressing that NPAN would ever remain grateful for his effort in birthing the association.
The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, said Jakande exemplified selfless service. A statement by its late national publicity secretary Yinka Odumakin urged all political office holders to learn from the exemplary life of the late elder statesman.
“He never lived in a Government House or drove a government car throughout his service to the state. Jakande developed the Lekki area and never took a plot for himself. His life was all about service,” the statement said.
There is a lot to learn from the life of this late elder statesman for the imprints he left behind. That is why he remains an unforgotten hero.