Alhaji Lateef Jakande, a former Lagos state governor has died at the age of 91
His death was announced on Thursday by the current Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on his Twitter:
“With gratitude to God for a worthy life well spent in the service of Lagos State, Nigeria, and humanity, I announce the death of a venerable statesman, outstanding politician, public administrator, and the first civilian governor of Lagos state, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande.”
Alhaji Jakande was a former journalist who became governor of Lagos state in Nigeria from 1979 to 1983, and later was minister of works under the Late Sani Abacha military regime.
He is noted for introducing housing and educational programmes targeted at the poor, building new neighbourhood primary and secondary schools and providing free primary and secondary education.
His government constructed over 30,000 housing units including low cost estates in Amuwo-Odofin, Ijaiye, Dolphin, Oke-Afa, Ije, Abesan, Iponri, Ipaja, Abule Nla, Epe, Anikantamo, Surulere, Iba, Ikorodu, Badagry.
To fund some of the projects, Jakande increased the tenement rates and price of plots of land in affluent areas of Victoria Island and Lekki Peninsula and the processing fees for lottery, pools and gaming licenses.
He also completed the construction of the General Hospital in Gbagada and Ikorodu and built about 20 health centres within the state.
As a governor, he established 23 local government councils which were later disbanded by the military. He also started a metro line project to facilitate mass transit.
As Minister of Works and Housing during the Sani Abacha administration, the late politician recorded some landmark achievements especially in the Federal Capital Territory. One of such is the Kado Housing Estate in the city.
