Professor Lai Olurode has said that former Lagos State Governor, Lateef Kayode Jakande, was able to perform as a governor because he was pro-poor in his programmes and policies aside devoting most of his times to governance and not politics.

Speaking during a firechart organised by the Lateef Jakande Academy on the leadership model and legacy of Alhaji Leteef Jakande, Olurode, a retired University of Lagos don, disclosed that Jakande was a man of conviction who not only wanted to follow in the footsteps of his mentor, Chief Obafemi Awolowo but also determined not to live beyond his means, which was why he was very modest in and out of government.

According to him, long before Jakande came into power, he was determined not to be corrupt and be satisfied with just meeting basic things of life. He buttressed it with a letter Jakande wrote over 10 years before he became the governor of Lagos State.

He also disclosed that Jakande was always thinking about impact, which was not about drawing attention to himself, but for the greater majority. He added that in his interaction with Jakande, the former governor also believed that one does not need to be in government to make impact or improve the community.

He further said that Jakande was a man who believed that one should impact his community in whatever way it can and no matter how small and it does not take having huge fund to make impact. He noted that Jakande led by example disclosing that after withdrawing students on scholarship back into Lagos public schools, he also enrolled his children in the schools.

Olurode argued that Jakande life experiences and background as a young man probably shaped his outlook to governance and the drive to be pro-poor when he became governor. He narrated some of the challenges Jakande had acquiring education and navigating through life.

The professor of sociology noted that before the return to democracy in 1999, many sought political offices because they wanted to serve their community and not a tool to better their lives or that of their family. He observed that it is not the case anymore as many now go into politics just for self aggrandizement, reason corruption is high.

He argued that many Nigerian leaders are taking more than what they need from Nigeria, seeing Nigeria as a buffet and they are taking without be conscious of others. He noted that many who came after Jakande did not toe his path especially in being truly pro-poor and not wanting to amass what they actually do not need.

He maintained that Nigeria truly is a blessed and rich country that no Nigerian should sleep hungry or homeless but resources are tied down by a few who allows it to waste.

Olurode applauded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for setting up the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy. “We must commend Lagos State Governor for the thought that went into the setting up of the academy. This is because it is not easy to recognise a predecessor as a governor.”

During the question-and-answer session, one of the participants noted that past governors in the mode of Jakande in other states names their state universities after their former governor, but that was not the case in Lagos. Olurode said that though it is a good thing that an academy backed by law has been unveiled in his honour, Jakande nonetheless deserved more considering what he gave to the state in terms of selfless service.

Olurode is however hopeful that one day he would be better recognised in terms of naming one of the state universities after him.

The former university don observed that one of the issues that have held Nigeria down is because production and true service is not rewarded.

He challenged the academy fellows to emulate Jakande to be pockets of ethical islands wherever they find themselves by living for higher values. He said that they should not be deterred by the pains that come with standing out and doing good. He also implored to commend those doing good within their environment because it is a good energizer to do more if Nigeria must get better.

On what lessons today’s politicians and upcoming ones can learn from Jakande, Olurode said: “The imperative of keeping faith with the implied social contract entered into with the people; enacting pro-poor policies and an unparalleled sense of empathy and disdain for greed in governance.

“The Jakande Leadership Academy is deserving and the government of Sanwo-Olu deserves a pat on the back. What is left is for his government to name the Lagos State University (LASU) after him as was the case with universities founded by all his cohorts. Why should LKJ’s case be different.”

On why it looks as if the state cannot reproduce someone in the mode of Jakande since the return to democracy in 1999, Olurode stated that the future is pregnant with all possibilities. “We aren’t soothsayers or Babalawo. We should remain hopeful.”