Tributes as former Lagos State Governor, Lateef Jakande is buried

There were flow of tears and emotions on Friday evening as the remains of esteemed national leader and patriarch of modern Lagos, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, were buried at the Volts and Gardens Cemetery in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State.

Jakande died on Thursday at the age of 91. He was the first Civilian Governor of Lagos State between October 1, 1979 and December 31, 1983.

The interment was preceded by Islamic prayers at his home in the Ilupeju area of the state.

Jakande’s son, Deji, other household members and esteemed Lagosians wept as his body was being interred after the Muslim prayers which was led by Chief Imam of Lagos, Abou-Nolla.

The remains of the late Jakande accompanied by his wife, Abimbola, children, Deji, and Seyi, among others, relatives, associates, and prominent personalities, was brought into the Vaults and Gardens Ikoyi.

His body was escorted to the burial ground with the staff of office of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu. He was buried amid tributes from prominent personalities in the nation.

Amidst the dignitaries present are the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat; Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba.

Osoba said “An Iroko tree, as well as an elephant, has fallen.

“He singlehandedly founded both the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Institute of Journalism.

“He was the first black African chairman of the International Press Institute made up of publishers and editors all over the world.”

Alhaji Sheilk Mustaphar Al-Mubarak from Surulere Central Mosque said, “If not for him many wouldn’t have been educated. He was a righteous politician.”

Lateef Kayode Jakande was a Nigerian journalist who became Governor of Lagos State and later Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime.

His government as Lagos State Governor left a legacy of great infrastructure development during his four-year term, particularly through several Jakande estates constructed across the state also his exceptional investment in education.