Friday, July 26, 2019

Alhaji Lateef Jakande @90

By Nnedi Ogaziechi
 “I am most grateful for the opportunity to serve Lagos and to have turned 90” – Alhaji Lateef Jakande
The first civilian governor of Lagos state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, must by turning 90 years overgrown, though symbolically the title of ‘baba kekere’ that he was fondly called by admirers who felt that he comes second in political achievements in office to a late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He has truly earned his reputation as one of the most loved and adored former governors in Nigeria.
Lateef Jakande
In a country that is not serious about documentations and historical records, it is apposite to celebrate this very iconic statesman by all indices. Alhaji Lateef Jakande today stands out like the proverbial iroko tree amongst shrubs in the political environment in Nigeria. It is equally instructive that a man like him who is a definition of what a leader should be is alive in today’s Nigeria and looking at most politicians serve themselves instead of the people.
Before becoming governor in 1979, Alhaji Jakande was an accomplished journalist and administrator. He was a quintessential servant of the people whose time as governor of Lagos was marked by development in the housing and the education sectors especially. His records in these areas seem not to have been matched by all his predecessors. Many tend to assume that Lagos would have been better developed had a Jakande had more time in government.
His sense of modesty and humility seem very alien to most politicians in Nigeria as most of them grandstand and rule rather than lead or serve the people. His lifestyle in and out of government shows a man that is at peace with himself and understands that leadership is about service and not about having airs or acquiring wealth. He serves as an excellent role model for future generations.
His career as a journalist was equally remarkable as he started his career at the Daily Times of Nigeria from where he joined the Nigerian Tribune where he was appointed editor-in-chief by the late Chief Awolowo. He served as the first president of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN). He had an outstanding journalism career and is today a reference point for journalists.
His focus during his term as governor was on the people especially the lowest class of people. He fashioned and executed policies to ease the pain of the poor especially in the areas of housing and education. He built new housing estates and schools, both primary and secondary schools in all the local governments in Lagos state thereby abolishing the double streaming that was in practice before he became governor.
Following the footsteps of his mentor, late Awolowo, he provided free primary and secondary education. He established 23 local government councils just to make governance closer to the people even though the military government later disbanded them. The important thing today is that the man Jakande served the people with zeal and empathy, two qualities lacking in most politicians today.
He was a visionary leader who truly used his position to make valid difference in the lives of the people. It is therefore very instructive and appropriate to celebrate this diamond in the rubble of Nigerian politics because it does seem his type is very rare in the land. Not many have measured up to the high level of commitment he showed as a leader.
His longevity seems an appropriate reward for a man who has lived a life of service and loyalty to the people and his own political mentor. His records in and out of government would be very interesting in years to come and may likely inspire the younger generation to act differently from what seems to be plaguing the Nigerian political class.
Many might want to discredit him because he accepted to serve under the late Sani Abacha who was a military Head of state. But that is precisely what ails the land. How was it that he was not seen as trying to serve his people rather than serving the former military Head of state? Was it not possible that he just wanted to serve his country in any capacity? Anyway, the old man is still alive and can still answer questions about his political choices.
An Alhaji Jakande is not by any means a saint, it is therefore wrong for any one mortal to holistically condemn him on the basis of having accepted to serve in a military government. Today, we are glad to join him in thanksgiving as he celebrates his 90th birthday. He is a beacon of good governance and this column celebrates him in a country that good leadership at all levels seems so rare. May he be around with his good counsel for many more years.
*Mrs. Ogaziechi is a public affairs analyst

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