ALHAJI LATEEF JAKANDE, PASSAGE OF A TITAN
The Nigeria Union of Journalists announces with sadness, the painful death of a veteran Journalist and first civilian Governor of Lagos State from 1979 to 1983.
His Excellency, Chief Lateef Jakande passed on at the age of 91 in Lagos.
As a Nigerian journalist who became governor of Lagos State, and later Minister of Works under the General Sani Abacha military regime, late Baba Jakande would be remembered for his life of consistent commitment to journalism and to public service. His life and times epitomized resilience, positive audacity, bravery and bravado, and a knack for excellence.
The NUJ would continue to cherish his mentorship, guidance and contribution to the growth of Journalism in the country and support to the Union.
It is painful, however, that Baba Jakande died at the time when another media Titan, Prince Tony Momoh was being laid to rest in Lagos.
Baba Jakande began his journalism career first with the Daily Service In 1949 and then in 1953 he joined the Nigerian Tribune, rose to the rank of editor-in-chief of the Tribune , 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). He will be greatly missed.
While extending our condolences to his immediate family, the people and Government of Lagos State and the Media Community, we pray that the Almighty Allah will forgive his shortcomings and dwell his soul in Jannatul Firdaus.
For: Comrade Chris isiguzo
National President
