By Banji Ayoola
The first civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, has passed on at 91.
His death was announced on Thursday by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who tweeted: “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 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.”
Jakande was popularly called “Baba Kekere” (Younger Awolowo) a name he earned as a result of his superlative performance as governor in the footsteps of his late leader and revered first Premier of the defunct Western Region, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
He was governor of Lagos State in the Second Republic between 1979 and 1983, and later served as Minister of Works in the Sani Abacha military regime between 1993 and 1998.
His administration brought commendable development to Lagos State between October 1, 1979 and December 31, 1983, in line with the five cardinal programmes of the Unity Party of Nigeria founded and headed by Awolowo.
A renowned journalist, he began his career in Journalism with The Daily Service in the late 1940s and later joined the Nigerian Tribune.
He was born in the Epetedo area of Lagos State on July 29, 1929. He attended a public primary school in Lagos Island before moving to Bunham Memorial Methodist School, Port Harcourt.
He returned to King’s College, Lagos State to continue his secondary school education, which he later completed at Ilesa Grammar School, now in Osun State in 1945, where he edited a literary paper called The Quarterly Mirror.
In 1949, he completed his secondary education and streamed into his dream career, Journalism, at the age of 20.
In 1956, he became the Editor-in-chief of the Nigerian Tribune. His editorials were factual and forthright, and were treated by the colonial powers with respect.
Shortly after he left the Nigerian Tribune, he established John West Publications and began to publish The Lagos News in the 1970s.
Due to his eloquence and commitment, he was appointed the first President of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).
In 1979, Jakande was inspired by Awolowo to contest for the Lagos State governorship election on the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, platform in an election which he defeated his opponents, Adeniran Ogunsanya of NPP and Sultan Ladega Adeniji Adele of National Party of Nigeria; and was subsequently sworn in as the first democratically elected Governor of Lagos State.
Jakande had made a good name and reputation for himself, in the popular Yoruba phrase, as Omoluabi. Hence his popularity among the low and high cadres of the society was enhanced.
He led a very successful administration as he opened and implemented the cardinal policies of his party. He introduced housing and educational programmes targeting the poor, building new neighbourhood primary and secondary schools and providing free primary and secondary education.
As Governor, he also established the Lagos State University and then constructed over 30,000 housing units. The schools and housing units were built cheaply, but were of great value.
Some of the housing units include low cost estates in Abesan, Abule Nla, Jakande Estate Isolo, Jakande Estate Alimoso, Amuwo-Odofin, Anikantamo, Badagry, Dolphin, Epe, Iba, Ijaiye, Ije, Ikorodu, Ipaja, Iponri, Oke-Afa, and Surulere.
He increased the tenement rates and prices of plots of land in affluent areas of Victoria Island and Lekki Peninsula and the processing fees for lottery, pools and gaming licenses so as to be able to fund some of his projects.
He also completed the construction of the General Hospitals in Gbagada and Ikorodu and built about 20 health centres within the state thereby improving on the state of the health sector, in the early eighties. Today, these hospitals are providing the needed medical attention to patients experiencing various medical challenges.
He also encouraged the development of traditional medicine and its application for the treatment of patients when his government established the Traditional Medicine Board. This initiative expanded the choice of the people of the state to seek the type of medical services that suit them.
Despite the huge cost of building materials at that time, his government was able to achieve its objective through some creative ideas. These include the creation of a State Bulk Purchase Corporation and a Works Management Board which bought buildings and other materials in bulk and hired local contractors, amidst competition.
Other notable ideas include the establishment of Asphalt Plant for the Department of Public Works as well as Electricity Board for Rural Electrification.
In addition to these projects, his government constructed the Adiyan Water Works to increase water supply in the state to 18.16 million litres per day. It modernized and expanded the Iju Water Works which was first commissioned in 1915 which led to an increase in daily capacity from 159 million to 204 million litres per day.
His administration was responsible for the building of the Lagos State House of Assembly complex, Lagos State Television, and the Lagos Radio.
The footprints of the Jakande government could also be seen in the area of transportation.
Similarly, the government was responsible for tackling the ODD/EVEN Traffic System problem in the state. He established the first State Traffic Management Authority (Road Marshals under the headship of Chief S. O Ige a distinguished Lagos Lawyer).
The government also boosted Water Transportation when it established the State Ferry Services Corporation which immediately acquired its own fleet of boats.
Jakande also made an attempt to develop an effective Civil Service system. Recognising that the Civic Service plays a significant role in the provision of public goods and facilitation of government functions, his administration tried as much as possible to improve the service delivery of this institution.
He encouraged staff development and training programmes which was vigorously pursued for both the senior and junior staff in the service of the state. Admission process for Administrative Officers was developed in such a way that allows them to pass through various tests, including written aptitude test and extended interview by the Civil Service Commission.
Local government administration was another area where his administration left an indelible mark. He brought an innovation into this tier of government when he created the post of Heads of Local Government Service; e.g. Head of Service, the Heads of Local Governments were charged with such duties as: staff development and training, provision of leadership and direction for the Local Governments, advice on the appointment and deployment of Council Managers, among others.
It is noteworthy to remember that he matched his achievements with good moral values and discipline, and his policy was beneficial to the poor and to the nation at large.
He was not given to ostentatious lifestyles. As Governor, he barely travelled out of the country since he was convinced that the resources and talents needed for his job were all in the country. He also showed that his work as governor of the state does not necessarily mean he has to live on the resources of the state. He demonstrated this when he refused to move into the comforts of the governor’s official residence. He opted to live in his private residence located at Ilupeju and commuted to work in his private car. He also showed this attitude in relation to his family. As a father, he ensured that members of his family went to the same state-run schools and hospitals provided by the government.
He started a metroline project to facilitate mass transit. The project was halted and his tenure as Governor ended when the military seized power on 31 December 1983. After the Military take-over, Lateef Jakande was appointed Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime.
Lateef Jakande’s sterling qualities and records of achievement are exemplary for the promotion of purposeful leadership, good governance and the development of the Southwest Region of Nigeria and by extension, Nigeria at large.
He has also published several books, some of which are The Case for Lagos State; The trial of Obafemi Awolowo; The Problems and Prospects of Free Education and The Role of the Mass Media in a Developing Country.
Only in 2019, the flagship of Nigerian media, The Guardian, in an editorial marking his 90th birthday, described him in a superlative manner.
In the editorial, entitled “Jakande: An honourable man at 90”, and published on August 1, 2019, the newspaper wrote:
“Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande who clocked 90 recently deserves all the accolades he has received from just about every quarter, by just about every one – high and low – in just about every phrase worthy of the diligent man in every role he found himself – be it journalism, politics, or administration. He has been a thorough professional most true to his calling, a loyal man to his trustworthy leader, above all – or shall we say in sum, a man who brought integrity to every assignment he took on.
“Even Nigeria’s leader, Muhammadu Buhari in a tribute marking the great man’s birthday cited ‘‘Jakande’s progressive and liberal policies, especially in education…’’ He is right. For, in this particular respect, the man fondly called LKJ, followed the path of his incomparable leader and executor of the free education policy in the Western region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, to implement that policy in Lagos State he governed from October 1979 to December 1983.
“Buhari whose military regime terminated the government Jakande served in 1984, further noted that the former governor left a ‘‘lasting legacy in politics and governance.’’ He could not be more right. Again, like the great Awo in respect of good governance in Nigeria, we dare to say that Jakande remains the defining standard in Lagos State. Both men sought and governed in pursuit of what J. B. Priestley would describe as the greatest happiness of the greatest number in the polity. It is not for nothing that Jakande is fondly called ‘baba kekere’ (younger Awolowo).
“There are indeed many more reasons that he proved a faithful follower of his political mentor. The APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, noted correctly, Jakande’s ‘‘unshakeable and absolute loyalty to his leaders.’’ He added, ‘‘at the very crucial time in the history of politics in the country, Jakande was extremely loyal to former Premier of Western Region, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo…’’ Of course, it hardly can be otherwise; as Awolowo, a highly integrated leader himself would put it, ‘‘only the deep calls to the deep.’’
“At any given time, Lagos State remains the most complex and the most sophisticated state in Nigeria. It is a huge challenge to manage its affairs and to govern such modernised and densely populated territory with enough sagacity that allows its diversity to thrive even as it retains its unique socio-cultural indigenousness. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo cited the ‘‘grit and vision’’ that impelled Jakande to do several revolutionary things. Yes indeed, a man who seeks and wins high political office must have grit and vision; but he must have more than these. He must have integrity to do what he has to do when he has to do it and according to laid down rules and regulations –irrespective of his personal, sectional or other interests. Jakande has been a significant humanist. He introduced free education – with free books to boot. The policy was available to every child in Lagos regardless of tribe and faith. His government gave grants to a number of needy states including faraway Bornu State. The then governor, Alhaji Mohammed Goni, reportedly testified to this at Jakande’s birthday event.
“Many testimonies to his capacity for hard work, to his capability to marshal men and resources efficiently and effectively are well known and lately, widely reported in the media including an extensive piece by Mr. Lade Bonuola, a veteran journalist who should know. And so it should be for a man who has given so much to journalism. The influential leader writer, LKJ rose through the ranks to become managing director and editor-in-chief of Nigerian Tribune. Besides, LKJ was the founding father of Nigerian Institute of Journalism in 1963. Besides, he was also the brain behind the establishment of the Newspapers’ Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and Nigerian Guild of Editors. But the highest respect that Jakande has earned journalism and journalists has been by being one that achieved so much in the other fields of politics and administration – after a remarkable career in journalism.
“Jakande’s landmark achievements span education (Lagos State University), health (Lagos State Teaching Hospital and General Hospitals at Gbagada and Ikorodu), low-cost housing estates from Badagry through Amuwo-Odofin and Iponri to Epe; from Ijaiye through Abesan to Ipaja and more, road infrastructure to all nooks and crannies in the cosmopolitan state.
“Jakande envisioned and implemented a multimodal transportation system for Lagos and to this end started the commercial boat transport with two boats plying Mile 2 to Marina. He also conceived and began the very important and desperately required metro-line that would have transformed the mass transportation system of the state. Alas, for reason only best explained by him, Buhari then terminated the contract even as work had begun.
“In government and out of it, his values remained essentially unchanged. He lived simple including staying in his personal house and driving his personal car to work. Prof. Wole Soyinka says that a tiger never needs to announce its ‘tigritude’. Not for LKJ is the obscene display of the appurtenances of power that lesser mortal in government do to announce their ‘importance’ these days. Most senior citizens including Chief Segun Osoba, also a notable journalist this newspaper honoured here the other day, think it is a ‘disgrace’ that Jakande has not been awarded a national honour. He is right to an extent. But what greater honour can a man receive than that, which men of worth grant him from the depth of their hearts. Baba Kekere is such a man. For all he has done for Lagos State and for his country, we salute Alhaji Lateef Jakande and wish him more years of good health and peace of mind. Happy birthday Sir.”
