First democratically elected Lagos Governor Alhaji Lateef Jakande died on Thursday morning at 91.

 

This disclosure was made by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, through a series of tweet posts on his official Twitter handle on Thursday, February 11, 2021.

 

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Sanwo-Olu, in his statement, pointed out that 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.

 

The Governor in his statement said, ‘’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 Jakande.

 

 

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‘’Baba Jakande’s record of service as a journalist or 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.’’

Here are ten things to know about the deceased:

 

· Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande was born July 23, 1929 in the Epetedo area of Lagos Island, Lagos.

· He studied at a Lagos public school at Enu-Owa, Lagos Island then at Burnham Memorial Methodist School, Port Harcourt. He then enrolled at Ilesha Grammar School in 1945 where he edited a literary paper called The Quarterly Mirror.

· Jakande began a career in journalism in Daily Times in 1949 before he joined the Nigerian Tribune in 1953 where he rose to become the Editor-in-Chief.

 

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· He became Lagos governor from 1979 to 1983 on the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

· He established 23 local government councils while he was Governor. They were later disbanded by the military.

· After the military take-over in 1983, Jakande was charged, prosecuted and convicted of treason, although later he was pardoned.

· He left Tribune in 1975 and established John West Publications on whose platform he published The Lagos News.

· He was the first President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).

· He later became member of different political parties at different times, including All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Action Party of Nigeria(APN).

· He was happily married to Alhaja Abimbola Sikirat and survived by children.