Ayodele Olalere
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has said no successive government in Lagos has surpassed the achievements of the late first civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande.
He also described him as the builder of the modern Lagos. It is recalled Jakande died on Thursday, February 11, 2021 aged 91.
The governor, who paid condolence visit to the family of the late politician at his residence, in Ilupeju, on Sunday, said Jakande laid the foundation for modern Lagos, on which successive governors are now laying on.
According to Governor Sanwo-Olu, “No matter how long you stay on earth you don’t want to lose your loved ones especially people that have been tremendous and outstanding in our environment. For late Jakande to have lived for over 90 years, we give Allah the glory.
“It wasn’t that he was terminals ill and we had to be carrying him from one hospital to another.
“At the right time and the right age, he was called by Almighty Allah. That was a testimony he lived a good life,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He added, “Personally, growing up, I remember how he came into power. As a young man then, I have heard about him and his sterling qualities when he served as the first civilian governor of Lagos State from 1979 to 1983 and what he stood for. What he has done still stands forty years and beyond.
“For some of us that tasted his tenacity, human kindness and his love for the poor, his genuine empathy and resolve to ensure the people he governed got the very best are testimonial that we all still remember today.
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“Alhaji Jakande scored several firsts that subsequent governors have not been able to replicate. We all sense of humility, i say he is a builder of our time. He’s a man that has laid a foundation of Lagos that all of us are attempting and trying to develop and put layers on.
“We can only take solace that he lived a good life. He was a very decent man, he was humble man and reflected what true humanity is all about.
“He is a source of encouragement for all of us to reflect how we live our lives. We will continue to remember him. We cannot but continue to sing his praises that LKJ was indeed a great man.”
