BREAKING: First Governor Of Lagos State, Lateef Jakande Is Dead 

First Governor Of Lagos State, Lateef Jakande Is Dead.

He died at the age of 91.

Lateef Jakande As The First Governor Of Lagos State

Lateef Jakande, a strong disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s school of politics.

Jakande’s four-year tenure is seen as the “golden age” when his populist policies and programmes based on the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN’s, transformational agenda revolutionised the housing, education and public transportation sectors. It was for this reason he was fondly described as an Action Governor.

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He successfully implemented free education, increased the number of primary schools from 54 to 86, and secondary schools from 13 to 42 within one year. He also built thousands of low-cost housing units which are still known as Jakande Estates.

Even after losing its status as the nation’s political capital, Lagos still retains its position the nation’s commercial city, all thanks to Lateef Jakande.

Lateef Jakande also designed the Metroline integrated transportation plan (the first in the country) which would have gone a long way in solving the perennial traffic jams in the Lagos metropolis. Unfortunately, the project was cancelled by the General Muhammadu Buhari regime after the coup of December 31, 1983.

He also set an enduring example as a leader who did not soil his fingers with public funds.

“Baba Kekere”, as he is also fondly called by people around him is credited with the establishment of the Lagos State University, LASU, and the Lagos Television, LTV, which is among the first crop of state-owned television stations in the country.

His administration also constructed waterworks and adequately met the water needs of Lagos residents at that time. He also conceived and initiated the construction of the Lagos State Secretariat.

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He lives a very humble, ascetic life in Ilupeju, a middle-class neighbourhood in the heart of Lagos.

Although he spent just four years and three months in office as governor, Jakande accomplished so much and touched lives positively that he became a reference point for effective leadership.

He won some awards for his outstanding works in Lagos when in service as the state governor. In 2018, he won the Lifetime Achievement Award of Vanguard Newspapers in for being a unique leader.