Lateef Kayode Jakande

Lateef Kayode Jakande was a Nigerian journalist and politician who served as the first civilian governor of Lagos State from 1979 to 1983, and later as the Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime. He was a loyal follower of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and a founding member of the Unity Party of Nigeria. He was popularly known as LKJ or Baba Kekere, meaning the junior Awolowo. As a governor, he implemented many progressive policies that transformed Lagos State into a modern city. He provided free and quality education for all, built over 30,000 housing units for the poor, initiated a metro line project to ease traffic congestion, established the Lagos State University and the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, constructed several roads, bridges and health centres, and promoted agriculture and rural development. He was widely regarded as the best governor in the history of Lagos State and one of the most visionary and effective leaders in Nigeria's history. He was also a prolific writer and editor who worked for various newspapers such as the Daily Service and the Nigerian Tribune. He founded John West Publications and published The Lagos News. He was the first president of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria and a recipient of many awards and honours for his journalism and public service. He died on February 11, 2021 at the age of 91 after a brief illness. He was survived by his wife, four children and many grandchildren. He was buried at the Vaults and Gardens in Ikoyi, Lagos. He was eulogized by many Nigerians as a legend, a hero and a role model.