Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State says his administration and people of the state will forever remember the late Lateef Jakande for his good deeds to humanity.
Sanwo-Olu made the disclosure at the Lateef Jakande Annual Memorial Lecture organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in Lagos on Monday.
The lecture is with the theme: “Alhaji Lateef Jakande: The Man, His Journalism, His Politics.”
Sanwo-Olu, represented his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said a life well-spent was not determined by how long one lives but by the number of lives one is able to impact positively.
“I am glad that we are here today to be part of this annual lecture instituted to honour the memory of a great administrator, an elder statesman, and the first civilian Governor of our state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande.
“Jakande did not only live long to the ripe age of 91, his life was a reflection of humanity at its abundance with several stories of positive impacts.
“Though the passing of Alhaji Jakande was somewhat painful to us as a state and to individuals who knew him personally because he was indeed a man of lovable personality.
“We wished he could live forever, we must give unreserved appreciation to God for blessing us with him and for also giving him the grace to live a life that touched and impacted lives.
“My administration and the good people of the state will forever remember Alhaji Lateef Jakande for his good deeds to the people of the state,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu said the lecture would not only immortalise Jakande’s good name, adding that it would also espoused his ideals for the coming generation to imbibe in their professional and public services.
The governor commended the president and all members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) for instituting the annual lecture.
Sanwo-Olu said the theme would x-ray the life journey and milestone achievements of Jakande which revolve round his profession as a journalist and his calling as a consummate politician.
He said there is no gainsaying that both in his profession and his calling, Jakande demonstrated visionary leadership and selflessness in the service to the people and humanity.
The governor said his leadership skills had made the NGE become a highly respected body in the media industry, which is a testament to his vision and exemplary leadership.
Sanwo-Olu said to immortalise him, his administration established the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy to unleash the potential of the next generation leaders.
He said, “The academy was established to immortalise the name of the first civilian governor of our state whose impact on the generality of our people was outstanding.
“It will provide an avenue for the younger generation to imbibe the responsible and selfless leadership which were the hallmarks of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande both in his private and public lives.”
Sanwo-Olu said his leadership programme would offer life-changing, non-partisan and meritocratic opportunities to young Nigerians who desire to impact their generation through public service.
In his welcome address, the NGE President, Mr Eze Anaba, said the Alhaji Lateef Jakande Inaugural Lecture is to honour the great man and to recognise his outstanding achievements.
Anaba said it was important to institutionalise a culture of appreciation which would give the institutional memory to know how they got to where they were and how to build on the legacy of the past.
“Also, Baba Kekere, lived an impactful life so much that we can’t talk about modern journalism in Nigeria without talking about him.
“His blueprint is everywhere and his shadow covered our industry and his associates and students and those who know him closely about how gigantic he was.
“Many people who know him closely will gladly testify that he is an incredible talent whether as a journalist or as a politician,” he said.
Anaba said Jakande had a response to everything because he devoted his entire professional and political careers to advancing values to liberty and social justice.
He said he also exemplified the value of honesty, integrity and fairness, saying that he told the stories of the needy and held the powerful to accountable.
