A former Lagos State Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, has died on Thursday at the age of 91.
Naija News understands the former governor died in the early hours of Thursday, February 11, 2021 in Lagos.
Jakande, born 29 July 1929 was a second republic civilian governor of Lagos State between 1979 and 1983.
He was born in the Epetedo area of Lagos Island, Lagos State but both his parents are from Omu-Aran, Kwara State.
He studied at the Lagos public school at Enu-Owa, Lagos Island, then at Bunham Memorial Methodist School, Port Harcourt (1934–43). He studied briefly at King’s College, Lagos in 1943, and then enrolled at Ilesha Grammar School in 1945.
He established a career in journalism before contesting for the office of the executive governor of Lagos State in 1979, on the Unity Party of Nigeria platform.
He defeated his opponents, Adeniran Ogunsanya of NPP and Sultan Ladega Adeniji Adele of National Party of Nigeria and was subsequently sworn in as governor.
During his active days, he also served as the Minister of Works (November 1993 – August 1998) under the military regime of Sani Abacha, a position which earned him lots of criticism, though he says he has no regret taking up the job.