Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande is 90 years old, born 23
July 1929 in the Epetedo area of Lagos Island, Lagos State on 29
July 1929. His parents are 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, and then enrolled at Ilesha Grammar School in 1945, where he edited a
literary paper called The Quarterly Mirror. A trained journalist and also a
former governor of Lagos State from 1979 to 1983. He also served as a Minister
of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime (1993–98).
Jakande began his journalism career in 1949 when started
working 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).
Encouraged by Awolowo, he ran for election as executive
governor of Lagos State in 1979, on the Unity Party of Nigeria platform. He
defeated his opponents, Adeniran Ogunsanya of NPP and Sultan Ladega Adeniji
Adele of National Party of Nigeria and was subsequently sworn in as governor.
His administration was effective and open and implemented the cardinal policies
of his party.
Jakande introduced housing and educational programs targeting the
poor, building new neighborhood primary and secondary schools and providing
free primary and secondary education. He established the Lagos State
University. Jakande's government constructed over 30,000 housing units.
After the military take-over in 1983, Jakande was
charged, prosecuted and convicted of treason, although later he was pardoned.
We salute this astute politician and journalist at 90.
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