Group urges Sanwo-Olu to name LASU after Jakande

Indigenes of Lagos, under the aegis of Lagos State Prominent Indigenes, have implored Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to name Lagos State University (LASU) after the first civilian governor, late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande for his meritorious services to the state.

In a statement, yesterday, by the group’s spokesman, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri, the body claimed the step became necessary, as the deceased founded the university and nurtured it to maturity.

“Other state universities in the country that were named after their founders include Ambrose Alli University in Edo State; Adekunle Ajasin University, Ado Ekiti and Olabisi Onabanjo in Ogun State.”

According to the Lagos indigenes, Jakande deserved such honour, as his works in the state were yet to be surpassed. “He had done more than any governor dead or living. His legacies included the Lagos-Epe Expressway, Lagos-Badagry Expressway and Banana Estate, lkoyi, amongst others.

“The scripting of governance in Lagos State cannot be chronicled without Jakande as one of the chief-protagonists and, we dare say, inadequately unsung heroes of our nation,” the group stated.

The body pointed out that an elegy was not befitting to capture the life of such a man as Jakande, rather an eulogy would do. “He made way to history books by sheer completeness in biography, excelling personally, professionally and politically.

“A simple, unassuming, small-statured man with an ‘Iroko’ personality, LKJ during his lifetime, stood tall as a role model to many, whether old or young, political or apolitical, Muslim or Christian, Southerner, Westerner or Northerner.”

They recalled how Jakande envisioned LASU and his administration conceptualised and actualised the Lagos-Badagry Expressway that opened that sector of the state for development.

The Lagos Metroline (LML) project was his brainchild, they also recalled.
“lt was of particular note that throughout his lifetime, Jakande contentedly lived in his personal house in the Ilupeju area of Lagos and used his personal car, even when he was governor.

“What manner of man! His visionary leadership is peerless and he would easily remain one of the best public office holders in the political history of Nigeria; last of the titans.

“A true Awoist with a culture of progressivism and an unbending tenacity for the welfare and the uplift of the masses, he has effortlessly become a ‘political allusion’ and metaphor for performance, not just in Lagos State, but across the country.”