- * 'He Deserve It'.....Abuja Lawyer
- Hails Guild of Editors President, Eze Anaba
Family of the first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, on Monday, called on the Lagos State Government under governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to immediately name the popular Lagos State University (LASU) after their patriarch.
Jakande's family made the call in Lagos to governor Sanwo-Olu, at the maiden edition of the Lateef Jakande Annual Memorial Lecture, 2023, organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and held at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
The Memorial Lecture was among the core campaign promises of the new President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Eze Anaba, when he stood for election 51 days ago, on Friday, June 16, 2023. Eze, as he is fondly called by professional colleagues, was overwhelmingly voted and he has delivered on that promise.
Speaking at the well attended event, Jakande’s son, Seyi Jakande, declared that his father, being the founder of LASU at the time he was the state governor, deserved that the university should be named after him.
He said Ogun State University, OSU, which was founded during the administration of Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, had since been named after him, hence Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU.
He also gave the example of Bendel State University which has also been renamed Ambrose Alli University, AAU, after the governor at the time, Ambrose Alli.
Seyi Jakande said although the idea had been mooted before, stated that nothing had been done to make the dream a reality.
He therefore called on the governor to revisit the issue and name the state university after his father.
“I want Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to revisit the discussion,” he said.
Top and elderly journalists who had direct contact with the former Lagos State governor, particularly in his hey days as a journalist, paid glowing tributes to him.
They spoke well of his virtues, describing him as a blessing to journalism in Nigeria.
Some of the dignitaries are former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; the publisher of Vanguard newspaper, Sam Amuka; top columnist, Chief Tola Adeniyi; Mr. Lade Bonuola; Dr. Dayo Duyile and many others.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, graced the occasion and eulogised Jakande for his virtues.
Speaking on the quality of life Jakande lived, he posited that a life well spent is not determined by how long one lived but by how impactful the life is.
His words: “I am glad that we are here today to be part of this annual lecture instituted to honour the memory of a great administrator, an elder statesman, and the first civilian governor of our state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande.
“Jakande did not only live long to the ripe age of 91, but whose life was a reflection of humanity at its abundance with several stories of positive impacts.
“Though the passing of Alhaji Jakande was somewhat painful to us as a state and to individuals who knew him personally because he was indeed a man of lovable personality.
“We wished he could live forever, we must give unreserved appreciation to God for blessing us with him and for also giving him the grace to live a life that touched and impacted lives.
“My administration and the good people of the state will forever remember Alhaji Lateef Jakande for his good deeds to the people of the state.”
Other dignitaries who spoke about Jakande are the provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, NIJ, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye; founder of Diamond Award for Media Excellence, Mr. Lanre Idowu; Mr. Musikilu Mojeed of Premium Times; the governor of Ogun State, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by his media consultant, Mr. Kayode Akinmade among others.
Meanwhile, an based lawyer, Shedrack Ogunlewe, has commended the call, saying that the first civilian governor of Lagos State 'deserve such honour considering his positive exploits and achievements while in office for only four years and few months'.
He continued: 'Alhaji Jakande, in the true sense, built Lagos State. He founded the University. He actually laid the foundation for a modern Lagos. Jakande was a democratic governor in what is today known as South West geo-political zone as the best governor. He did not amass the wealth of Lagos State to run for higher office. Baba Kekere (Jakande) put Lagos and her people first and didn't consider himself at all.
'As a law school student in Lagos, l once visited him one evening in company of a deceased relative who was a journalist and who was obviously close to him. I was amazed and quite impressed by his humility and ordinary lifestyle. I asked my brother whether he was sure that that was the famous Jakande he was talking to or was he someone that looked like him? He was a governor without compare.
'I was also told by someone, here in Abuja, that Jakande, t
under General Sani Abacha as Works and Housing Minister, built the Lugbe and Gwarimpa Housing Estates. Look at those two Estates today, about the largest human settlements in the whole of West African Sub-region or even the entire Africa. He was a man who thought for the people. He had demonstrated in two opportunities given to him that he loves the people.
'I therefore commend the Nigerian Guild of Editors for remembering this great Nigerian leader to honour him. I also salute the new leadership of the Guild of Nigeria Editors under the Editor of the Vanguard Newspaper (Mr Eze Anaba) for such novel initiative of remembering and honouring the first President of the Editor's Association and whom l learnt also was instrumental to the formation of the Nigerian Guild of Editors body.
'Naming the Lagos State University (LASU) after him as canvassed by his family today (Monday) in Lagos at the Memorial Lecture, is not an idea the Lagos State government should delay or play politics with. It is long overdue. I therefore urge governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration to name LASU after Baba Jakande within the next 90 days. And nothing must stop it, especially when, in a country like ours, we have all kinds of criminals getting awards and being honoured. Once again, l commend the President of the Editors and Vanguard Newspaper Editor.', Ogunlewe stated. (with report from the frontpage news online). NNL.
