The first Civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, who died on Thursday morning, has been laid to rest.
His burial at Volts and Gardens cemetery on Friday, February 12, 2021, was preceded by pre-burial Islamic prayers at his residence in the Ilupeju area of Lagos State.
His son, Deji, other family members, and lovers cried as his body was being interred after the Muslim prayer by the Chief Imam of Lagos, Abou-Nolla.
Jakande was laid to rest a few minutes to 6 pm amidst tributes from prominent personalities in the country.
His body, which arrived at the cement at 5:11 pm, was accompanied to the cemetery with the staff of office of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.
Among 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 said the late Jakande would be remembered as a personification of the best in journalism and a political colossus.
“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,” Osoba said.
Alhaji Sheilk Mustaphar Al-Mubarak from Surulere Central Mosque said that the good Jakande did made his life long.
“If not for him many wouldn’t have been educated. He was a righteous politician,” the Imam added.
Jakande, popularly called “Baba Kekere” of Lagos died in the early hours of Thursday.
Jakande, a former journalist, was Lagos State Governor from 1979 to 1983, and later served as Minister of Works under the military government of Gen. Sani Abacha.
His administration as Lagos State governor left a legacy of massive infrastructure development during his four-year stint, especially through numerous Jakande estates built across the state as well as his sterling investment in education.
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