First Lagos Civilian Governor, Jakande Buried Amid Encomiums

Segun James

Amid wailing, celebration and cheers, the remains of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande was buried at the Vault and Gardens cemetery in Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday. His body arrived at the cemetery at exactly 5:11p.m.

His body was accompanied to the cemetery with the staff of office of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu. Jakande who died on Thursday at the age of 91 was the last of the five Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) progressive governors of the Second Republic from 1979 to 1983.

Ahead of the arrival of the former Lagos governor for burial, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat and Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola were at the cemetery waiting. His body was lowered to the grave after the Muslim prayer by the Chief Imam of Lagos, Abou-Nolla.

As his body was being lowered to the grave, there were tears from family members. His son, Deji Jakande was seen weeping at the grave side. At a special Fidaus in his honour at his Ilupeju home, Lagos, the state’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat described the late Jakande as an embodiment of all the positives.

Hazmat stated that Jakande was a great man who cared and served his people meritoriously when he had the opportunity to serve them.

He said, “Baba Jakande was just an example of what all of us should aspire to be. A great man, humble, selfless, loyal, and dedicated. So, he is an embodiment of all the positives. A great man that served his people when he had the opportunity to serve. A man that cared for the people and a fantastic journalist.” Recalling his personal encounter with Jakande, Hamzat said, he showed up at his graduation at the University of Ibadan in 1986.

Present at the special Fidau were children of the deceased, former governor of Ogun State, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun and his wife, Olufunsho and former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, among others.