A group of Lagos Prominent indigenes has implored Governor Babajide SanwoOlu to name Lagos State University (LASU) after the first civilian governor, late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande for his meritorious services to the state.
This request was contained in a Press statement issued by their spokesman, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri in Lagos at the weekend.
“The Late Jakande founded and established the pioneer university and nurtured it to maturity.
“Other state universities in the country were named after their pioneer founders included Ambrose Alli University in Edo State, Adekunle Ajasin University in Ado Ekiti and Olabisi Onabanjo in Ogun State,” the lndigenes reminded Governor SanwoOlu.
According to the Lagos lndigenes, Alhaji Jakande deserved such honour as his works in the state were yet to be surpassed.
“He had done more than any governor dead or living. His legacies included the Lagos Epe- Expressway, Lagos- Badagry Expressway and the Banana Estate, lkoyi amongst others.
“The scripting of governance in Lagos State cannot be chronicled without Jakande as one of the chief-protagonists and, we dare say, inadequately sung heros of our nation,” the group stated.
The group pointed out that an elegy was not befitting to capture the life of such a man as Alhaji Jakande, rather an eulogy would do.
“Alhaji Lateef Jakande made way to history books by sheer completeness in biography, excelling personally, professionally and politically.
“A simple, unassuming, small-statured man with an ‘iroko’ personality, LKJ during his lifetime, stood tall as a role model to many, whether old or young, political or apolitical, Muslim or Christian, Southerner, Westerner or Northerner.
“Lagosian by roots, we dare say he was a nationalist and knew no ethnic bigotry.
Born on the 23rd day of July, 1929 in the Epetedo area of Lagos Island, LKJ was a journalist per excellence and became Governor of Lagos State from 1979-1983.
“He was later appointed Minister of Works under the Sanni Abacha’s military regime.
“As Governor, LKJ stretched forth his hands as farthest as he could to reach the poorest grassroots through his housing and neighbourhood primary and secondary educational programmes, noted the group.
The Prominent lndigenes recalled how Jakande envisioned the Lagos State University and his administration conceptualised and actualised the Lagos-Badagry Expressway that opened that sector of the State for development.
The Lagos Metroline (LML) project was his brainchild, they also recalled.
” lt was of particular note that throughout his lifetime, Alhaji contentedly lived in his personal house in the Ilupeju area of Lagos and used his personal car, even when he was governor.
“What manner of man! His visionary leadership is peerless and he would easily remain one of the best public office holders in the political history of Nigeria; last of the Titans.
“A true Awoist with a culture of progressivism and an unbending tenacity for the welfare and the uplift of the masses, he has effortlessly become a ‘political allusion’ and metaphor for performance, not just in Lagos State, but across the country.
“Alhaji Lateef Jakande lived for the good of others, state and country and his people-oriented policies and legacy of standing for all would long be remembered.
“The former minister is a ‘personification’ of simplicity, honesty, dedication and selflessness. His life, not his death, drives home the sermon.
“May Almighty Allah grant his noble soul unimpeded access and permanent residence in Aljanah Firdaus. Amin!”, the prayed.