Jakande’s son urges Lagos govt to name LASU after father

Sanwo-Olu, Osoba, Nwachukwu, Bonuola, others extol ex-gov’s virtues at memorial lecture
The son of former Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande, Seyi, has urged the state to reconsider immortalising his father by renaming Lagos State University (LASU), which he founded, after him.

Seyi stated this, yesterday, during the maiden edition of Alhaji Lateef Jakande yearly memorial lecture 2023 organised by the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) in Lagos.

Meanwhile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba; former military Governor of Old Imo State, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu (rtd) and former Managing Director of The Guardian, Lade Bonuola, were among distinguished personalities that graced the occasion.

With the theme: “Lateef Jakande: The Man, His Journalism, His Politics,” the personalities paid tribute to the first civilian governor of Lagos State, describing him as a great journalist and selfless politician.

Sanwo-Olu, who was the Special Guest of Honour, was represented by his Deputy, Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat.

The governor, who described Jakande as a great man, said: “Jakande was a man of laudable personality and his passing away was painful to us.   We must thank God for blessing us with such a man. It is great to commend the NGE for deeming it fit to honour him.

“There is no gainsaying that both in his profession and politics, he demonstrated visionary leadership. The good people of Lagos will forever remember Jakande.”

Osoba, on his part, said: “He was the only one that wrote the editorials of Nigerian Tribune. No government then could ignore the editorials of the Nigerian Tribune.”

Bayo Osiyemi, who represented the keynote speaker, Felix Adenaike, also said Jakande’s literary prowess, especially in editorials, was unmatchable.

Bonuola described Jakande as an amazing person, saying: “I learnt at his feet how to deepen my knowledge about journalism. I also learnt that the newsroom is a place where you don’t graduate. You must know something about everything and everything about something.”

Nwachukwu described Jakande as quiet but resolute, saying: “He encourages us to be fearless. Whatever you do, remember the great man called Jakande.”