July 23, 1929 Ex-Lagos Governor, Lateef Jakande Was Born

Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, (born 23 July 1929) was a journalist who became governor of Lagos State in Nigeria from 1979 to 1983, and later was Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime (1993–98).



Lateef Kayode Jakande was born in the Epetedo area of Lagos State. Both parents are from Omun Aran Kwara State. In 1949 Jakande began a career in journalism first with the Daily Service and then in 1953 joining the Nigerian Tribune. In 1956 he was appointed editor-in-chief of the Tribune by the owner Chief Obafemi Awolowo. His editorials were factual and forthright, and were treated by the colonial powers with respect. After leaving the Tribune in 1975, Jakande established John West Publications and began to publish The Lagos News. He served as the first President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).

Encouraged by Awolowo, he ran for election as 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.
Happy 88th birthday to him.

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FACEBOOK COMMENTS

Henry Bassey and 6 others

Johnson Ahile

great man who help build lagos

Johnson Ahile

endy i guess he is still alive

Endy Edeson

sure, he is alive. he is 88 years old today

Henry Bassey

He is a good man

Endy Edeson

@Henry: good-evening. yeah, He did well as a governor and also as a journalist.