By ADÉMÓLÁ ÒRÚNBON

Nobody lives forever. But, history will be kind to mortars who left good legacies in their fields of endeavour, in politics and national service.

Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, veteran journalist and eminent politician, bade the world farewell on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at age of 91. The ideologue, social critic, author, administrator, and associate of the indomitable leader, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, died peacefully at his Ilupeju residence, the same house from where he steered the ship of Lagos State in the Second Republic.

Jakande, fondly called ‘Baba Kekere’ by admirers, was an asset to the polity. Following his demise, the class of 1979-83 governors has now been completely decimated. And, Jakande will not be remembered by any fat bank account, property in choice areas, and penchant for primitive accumulation. He will be remembered as a professional and ethical journalist, an honest politician, a workaholic and result-driven governor and minister, and a man of honour and integrity.

Of course, he will also be remembered for demystifying the hallowed driver’s seat. His simplicity and lack of avarice were legendary. With his simple Buba lace, an Awo cap to match and horsetail, he sometimes drove himself in his austere Toyota Crown to the Governor’s Office, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, which he built.

He was born on July 23, 1929, at Oshodi Tapa, Lagos Island, by humble and deeply religious parents. But, his progenitors have their roots in Omu-Aran, Kwara State. He became a child of promise while at Ilesa Grammar School under the principal, the late Rev. Noah Lafimikan. He was also fond of a favourite teacher, Efon Kingdom-born Prince Olajide Olowolagba, father of Dr. Kunle Olajide, Secretary of Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE).

Jakande took off as a reporter. He worked with “The Daily Service” and “Nigerian Tribune” where he rose to Editor-In-Chief. Since he started his career in the days of colonialism, Jakande was a nationalist-journalist who used his pen and paper to fight against colonialism.

The distinguished personality was the “Action Governor” of Lagos State, Chief Lateef Kayode Jakande (LKJ). It was Peter Drucker in his wisdom who theorized, “Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes.” LKJ, a seasoned administrator was defined by positive results when he was the governor of Lagos state.

But before stating his attributes and accomplishments, you may want to know what it means to be of service to others? Being of service to others – a person, a group, a community, a cause or a belief – means that you have chosen to engage without expecting anything in return. Simply put, there is no bribe or inducement in return for contracts awarded.

Those scholars who say human beings are both the means and the end to development are correct. The welfare of people, seen in its totality, was of special interest to LKJ when he was the governor of Lagos state. Pa. Lateef Kayode Jakande’s works as former Lagos state Governor speaks for itself.

Though, Pa. Lateef Kayode Jakande (LKJ) is resting from his labours, his good works do follow him. The former governor of Lagos state meant different things to different people because of his immense contributions to the nation and humanity. His footprints were all over the sand of time; in education, housing, health and transportation among others.

To buttress LKJ’s sterling leadership qualities, one can only draw inspiration from former U.S. President Harry S. Truman’s philosophy that “Men make history and not the other way round. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skilful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.”

Pa. Jakande as a governor made history and provided leadership. He was the governor of Lagos state at the right time. And going by all developmental projects that he conceptualized and executed in office in a period of 4 years, I can confidently say that he seized the opportunity to change things for the better in Lagos state.

He governed Lagos, Nigeria’s Centre of Excellence from October 1979 to December 31, 1983. He laid the foundation of what is now referred to as Africa’s largest megacity. Today, Lagos is the fifth largest economy in Africa, if it was a country with a population of over 15 million people.

LKJ had a vision and he worked assiduously to achieve his goals for Lagos state. Many observers and admirers of the late governor said he wanted Lagos to be modelled after what his mentor; Chief Obafemi Awolowo did in the defunct Western Region from 1952 to 1959.

Education was one of his key areas of focus. By building more schools, Jakande was able to achieve his goals in the education sector. Archival records show that he was able to increase the number of public primary schools to 812 with 533, 001 pupils in four years against 605 schools with 434, 545 pupils when he became governor in 1979. By the time he was leaving office in 1983, the number of public secondary schools increased to 233 with 167, 629 students against 105 schools and 107, 835 students in 1979.

His programmes targeted the poor in society as he intensified housing programmes. During his tenure as the governor, reports show that he constructed as many as 30, 000 housing units in various parts of Lagos. What about the health sector? He built general hospitals at Gbagada and Ikorodu and 20 health centres in Lagos State.

Pa. Lateef Jakande of blessed memory started the metro line project to facilitate mass transit within Lagos state. The project was halted by the military when his tenure came to an end on 31 Dec 1983. Some economists and public intellectuals believed that if the project was completed, it would have revolutionized public transportation within Lagos state.

In a bid to provide portable water for the people of Lagos state, LKJ constructed waterworks at Badagry, Apapa, Shomolu, Shasha, and Agege among others. He built the Lagos Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja and equally set up the Lagos state Television (LTV) which was regarded as the first state-owned TV station in Nigeria. He built the Lagos Radio and the Lagos State University (LASU). Indeed, LASU need to renamed after him in honour of the late former governor. A worthy way of immortalising the “Action Governor.”

A few of his close associates confirmed that LKJ as a governor worked round the clock in his bid to fast-track development in Lagos state. Such was his dedication to duty and passion for hard work. There was only one “Action Governor” in the Second Republic and that was Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande. It is hoped that more political leaders, particularly at the state level, will provide leadership, emulate Jakande’s patriotic zeal and commitment to serve the people.

Many of his programmes and policies particularly in the housing, public transportation, and education sectors still endear him to some people. When asked at one of his birthday ceremonies what he would like to be remembered for, he simply responded: “Service to the People!” LKJ will be remembered for his lasting legacy in politics and governance by the people of Lagos state in particular and Nigerians in general. May the gentle soul of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande rest in peace, Amen.

•Òrúnbon, an opinion writer, poet, journalist and public affairs analyst, writes in from Oke-Posu, Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: orunbonibrahimademola@gmail.com, or 08034493944, 08029301122.