Lagos Is A Land Of Law, Not Tribal Lords: A Rebuttal To The So-Called Yoruba Elders Progressive Council (YEPC)

 By Bolaji O. Akinyemi

I read with deep concern the unsigned and shameful document issued in the name of “Yoruba Elders Progressive Council (YEPC)” titled “Our Land, Our Identity: Lagos State Government Must Act Before We're Made Strangers at Home.” 

It is unfortunate that in 2025, in a democratic Nigeria where the Constitution reigns supreme, some cowards cloaked in the name of Yoruba elders still find it acceptable to publish ethnic bile and incite division without the courage to sign their names. 

As a proud Yoruba son, a senior citizen, and a disciple of the progressive school of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, I cannot keep silent while these masked agitators try to drag the Yoruba identity into the mud of tribal bigotry and reckless political opportunism.

Let me now respond, point by poisonous point, to their disturbing and dangerous narrative. 

Why Lateef Jakande Matters

By Ray Ekpu

Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, LKJ for short, deserves all the kind words heaped on him as he turned 90 on July 23, 2019. This self-made man who had no university education embarked on several transformational activities in furtherance of the goals of an educated society.

*Jakande 

He rose through dint of hardwork, perseverance and forensic engagement with the educated public to the Editorship of the Nigerian Tribune, Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s newspaper. Jakande transformed the paper through robust but fair journalism into the scourge of political scoundrels and the nemesis of dictators and tyrants. He has done for Nigeria’s journalism, I believe, more than anyone living or dead. He was the one who, working with the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria which he founded, planted a journalism continuing education centre in Lagos called the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ).

Lateef Jakande At 90: A Life Of Unparalleled Service To Humanity

By Lai Olurode

How is one to describe Pa Lateef Kayode Jakande (LKJ) at 90. May be, LKJ can be referred to as a man of many parts. In the words of that flamboyant politician of all time, Adegoke Adelabu, as quoted in Post and Jerkins (1973:33), who described himself as follows:

‘‘I am a living laboratory of my age … I am at once the cocoa farmer, the mercantile clerk, the civil servant, the petty trader, the transporter, the capitalist and the intellectual ( and now the politician) – all materials for the study of the social scientist.

*Lateef Jakande

LKJ could not be said to be radically different from this role cast as he shares many of these attributes which characterise a typical Nigerian politician – Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ayo Rosiji, Adegoke Adelabu and even Obafemi Awolowo. Though, from the start, LKJ’s objectives in life was clear – to devote his life to his profession of political journalism and book publishing.