Lagos to complete blue, red rail lines to honour Jakande

A Lagos historian and former Federal lawmaker in the Second Republic, Adekunle Alli, said the late Jakande gave people that worked with him freehand but silently monitored them.

Eulogising his late former boss, Prince Bayo Osiyemi, who served as Chief Press Secretary to Jakande, said the late ex-governor was a man of honour, who kept to his promises.

Osiyemi said the late Jakande implemented the four cardinal programmes of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), the party under which he governed Lagos. The late Jakande, he said, was the originator of the famous Banana Island in Lagos.

There were shorts interludes where the gathering was entertained to different superlative art performances.

Sanwo-Olu announced that the state would establish the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy to honour and immortalise the first civilian governor of the state. The announcement received thunderous applause. Sanwo-Olu described the deceased as an ‘epitome of what we stand for today’. He said the academy would be supported by an enabling Act of the House of Assembly.

He said: “Today, we celebrate a great man, a selfless leader, a rare gem, a quintessential politician, an administrator par excellence, the first civilian Governor of Lagos State, architect of modern Lagos. A man who lived a full life; a life rich not in material things but in the things that truly matter: integrity, honour, service and character.

“Through his outstanding and unequalled achievements, Alhaji Lateef Jakande has written his name in gold. He will continue to be remembered by generations as a reference point in good governance, welfarism, visionary leadership, selfless leadership, transformational leadership and leadership by example.

“He was never one to throw his greatness and clout around; he stayed simple and humble even at the height of his achievements and until the very end.

“Jakande’s achievements as governor of Lagos State within four years and three months (1979-1983) are well documented for posterity. A careful analysis of the achievements whether in education, health, housing, transportation, environment, road infrastructure or agriculture, would reveal a leader shrewd in the management of resources, visionary, altruistic, selfless, disciplined, passionate and accountable.

“Baba was a transformational leader, who led by example. His commitment and dedication to building the Greater Lagos of our dream, a Lagos that works for all, was unequalled. He served the people with all his heart and never saw his position as a route to personal enrichment. He demystified public office through his simple and Spartan lifestyle.

“He set a standard that successive administrations will continue to strive to live up to and maintain. I can say without any fear of contradiction that Baba died a happy and fulfilled man because he was able to witness the progress that successive administrations, especially civilian governments, made with regards to actualising the Lagos of his dream: a Lagos where all citizens are catered for regardless of social or economic class, ethnic origin or religious outlook.

“The highest honour we can pay him is to continue to strive to live up to his leadership ideals and deliver the full dividends of democracy to the people.”

Deji Jakande, who responded on behalf of the family, urged the people to keep praying for the children and larger family to keep his legacies alive and honour the name.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mrs Folasade Jaji delivered the vote of thanks.

Among the dignitaries at the event were APC national leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu represented by Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello; Oba Rilwan Akiolu represented by White Cap chiefs; former deputy governors – Kofoworola Akerele-Bucknor; Abiodun Ogunleye and Adebisi Sosan; Senator Oluremi Tinubu was represented by Conference 57 Chairman Mrs Omolola Essien; members of the state executive, Head of Service Hakeem Muri-Okunola; Governor Advisory Council (GAC) leaders Dr Abayomi Finnih, Alhaji Mutiu Aare and Senator Anthony Adefuye.

Also in attendance were APC Lagos state caretaker Chairman, Alhaji Tunde Balogun; Ashipa Kaoli Olusanya; Cardinal James Odunbaku; Rector, Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) Dr Oluremi Olaleye; Deputy Provost, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) Dr Adedayo Daodu; Chairman, Lagos State Local Government Service Commission Kamal Bayewu; Adetoun Adediran; Jumoke Okoya-Thomas; Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, Adeleye Ajayi and NUJ State Secretary Tunde Olalere