16 Facts About Lateef Jakande

Lateef Kayode Jakande was a Nigerian journalist and politician who served as governor of Lagos State from 1979 to 1983, and later Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime.

Lateef Kayode Jakande was born in the Epetedo area of Lagos Island, Lagos State on July 29,1929.

Lateef Jakande had his primary school education at the Lagos Public School at Enu-Owa, Lagos Island, then at Bunham Memorial Methodist School, Port Harcourt.

Lateef Jakande studied at King's College, Lagos in 1943, and then enrolled at Ilesha Grammar School in 1945, where he edited a literary paper called The Quarterly Mirror.

In 1949, Jakande began a career in journalism first with the Daily Service and then in 1953 joining the Nigerian Tribune.

Lateef Jakande served as the first president of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria.

Lateef Jakande defeated his opponents, Adeniran Ogunsanya of Nigerian People's Party and Ladega Adeniji Adele of National Party of Nigeria with a total of 559,070 votes and was sworn in as Governor.

Lateef Jakande's administration was effective and open and implemented the cardinal policies of his party.

Lateef Jakande introduced housing and educational programs targeting the poor, building new neighbourhood primary and secondary schools and providing free primary and secondary education.

Lateef Jakande established the Lagos State University and the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos House, is named after him.

Lateef Jakande completed the construction of the General Hospital in Gbagada and Ikorodu and built about 20 health centres within the state.

Lateef Jakande started a metroline project to facilitate mass transit.

Lateef Jakande claimed that he had accepted the post under pressure from M K O Abiola and other progressive leaders.

Lateef Jakande was the first chairman of the Action Party of Nigeria when it was formed in November 2006.

At this event, former Governor of Lagos State Bola Ahmed Tinubu said Lateef Jakande was worth celebrating for his life of consistent commitment to public service.

Lateef Jakande's body was interred at Vaults and Gardens Cemetery, Ikoyi, Lagos state on Friday February 12,2021.