The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, is to rename the NUJ Lighthouse complex on Victoria Island, Lagos, after late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande who passed on in Lagos on Thursday.
The Lighthouse was built by the first civilian Governor of the state.
Disclosing this during his condolence visit to the family home of the late elder statesman at Ilupeju, Lagos, the Chairman, NUJ Lagos State Council, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, said renaming it Jakande House was in recognition of his contributions to the development of journalism profession in Nigeria.
He spoke of the first civilian Governor of Lagos State and former Minister of Works and Housing:“If not for him, I wonder how we will be able to maintain the union. I thank God that he lived a fulfilled life and died at the ripe age of 91 years.
“There is no way the history of Nigeria can be written without mentioning his name and the numerous legacies he left behind.
“We have learnt so many lessons from him and we will imbibe his traits and values. We will miss him a lot and may his soul rest in peace.”
Also speaking, a leader of defunct National Democratic Coalition, Mr Ayo Opadokun, described Jakande as a professionally disciplined, productive, dedicated and consistent person throughout his life.
Opadokun said that Jakande was perhaps the best editorial leader of his time aside being one-time governor of Lagos State on the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) chaired by the late safe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and former Minister for Works and Housing.
“Jakande was Editor-in-Chief and Managing Director of the African Newspapers; publishers of the Nigerian Tribune.
“He was a pioneer executive of Newspaper Proprietor Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and incidentally started the Nigerian Press Organisation.
“He was also the founder of NUJ in Ikeja. He provided free education in spite of the huge cost and built schools in every available space across the state,” he said
Opadokun said that no governor after him (Jakande) had been able to meet his legacy in terms of providing humanitarian service to the society.
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