Former governor of Ogun, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, on Thursday, commiserated with the Lagos State Government over the death of Alhaji Lateef Jakande.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Pa Jakande, the first Civilian Governor of Lagos State died on Thursday at 91.
In a condolence letter, addressed to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and made available to NAN in Lagos, Daniel said he received the shocking news of the death of Pa Jakande with the greatest disbelief.
“My disbelief is not connected in any way to the fear for his ripe old age, but for the myth which ‘Baba Kekere’ invoked in many of us young men in the then Lagos state as a great achiever and an astute administrator, which made him near-invincible for death to go near.
“Of course, Alhaji Jakande did not die; could not have died as his immortal body remained interred in all the visible projects which dotted the landscape of Lagos, then and now.
“He was the ‘builder’ of the new Lagos as he remained a myth in cosmopolitan administration to successive governments in Lagos state years after him.
“I remember vividly his creative intervention in the chaotic education system in Lagos state, then as soon as he assumed office as governor.
“Several secondary schools were compelled to run three shifts and his unprecedented efforts to return the school system back to normal with his now-famous “Jakande Schools”.
“His intervention in the housing sector was no less ingenious and creative with a Mass Housing scheme for the less privileged.
“Many of his Low-Cost ‘Jakande Housing Scheme’ still dot the landscape of Lagos State,’’ Daniel stated.
He noted that the Jakande’s pioneering efforts in founding the Lagos State College of Science and Technology (now the Lagos State Polytechnic), “where I was a pioneer lecturer at the School of Engineering’’, redefined the concept of Higher and Vocational education in the state.
“His famed Metro line project, which he conceived over 40 years ago, clearly defined the character and strength of his vision which would have resolved the chaotic transportation problems in Lagos State.
“Today, that vision remains a road not taken and the problems persist.
“His footprints are visibly stamped on almost every sector of the economy; from education to health to infrastructure development.
“He will be greatly missed and forever remembered each time the history and development of Lagos are told.
“Indeed, Nigeria has lost one of the hardest working governors in its history.
“Adieu LKJ, the fabled Strong Man of Lagos Politics.
“I wish Lagos state and the entire family the fortitude to bear his painful passage, as I pray that God should grant his soul a great repose,’’ Daniel added.
