The first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, passed away in the early hours of today at 91 years of age. He served as a journalist with the Daily before serving as a Governor of lagos State in 1979 – 1983. He thereafter went on to become the Minister of Works in 1993 till 1998.
Born in Epetedo in Lagos State, his parents were from Kwara State. He was well respected for achieving lofty goals during his only tenure as Governor of the state, a feat which still remains well spoken of in circles of interest.
He introduced housing policies targeted at the poor, established primary and secondary schools in the same community, and built over 30,000 housing units.
He also established the Lagos State University. Most of the funds used to carry out the projects were from increased taxes from high brow areas, proceeds from lotteries, and gaming.
Jakande also completed the General Hospital in Gbagada and Ikorodu and also constructed 20 primary health care centres all in Lagos State. Up till date, no Governor of the State has been able to hit the benchmark set by the former governor.
After his tenure, Jakande was convicted of treason but later pardoned, before he served as the Minister of Works during the Maj. Gen Sani Abacha regime.
