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Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit and University of Lagos Muslim Alumni Association (UMA) have mourned elder statesman and first civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande who died yesterday.
In a condolence message, the group said his death is a colossal loss to the entire country and the Muslim Ummah in general.
The Amir (president) of MSSN in Lagos State, Miftahudeen Thanni, described Jakande as a great achiever, noting that the former Lagos State governor remained the best administrator the state has had.
According to him, no governor in Lagos has been able to match the achievement of the late Jakande in the educational sector.
He said, “Lagos State and Nigeria, in general, have lost a rare gem. An outstanding personality has been lost. He remains the most educationally friendly governor. Up till now, his records in the education sector remain unparalleled by others.
“While Jakande promoted free and quality education, other governors increased school fees despite the low minimum wage and economic hardship in the state. The deceased has made landmark achievements that will never be forgotten in the history of the state. Today, his housing policies still remain reference points for successive governments.”
Thanni recalled that Jakande was such an outstanding administrator that his tenure remains a yardstick for good governance in the state today. Our advice is that Jakande’s death should be a lesson to all politicians and leaders in the country.
“They should be reminded that they would one day give an account of their deeds. If they escape and deceive fellow humans, they cannot escape the judgment of God. We pray that Allah forgives his shortcomings and grant him paradise. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
The President of University UMA, Alhaji Shuaib Afolabi Salis, described him as a leader of remarkable achievements, stating that his death has created a great void in people’s hearts and minds, which will be difficult to fill due to the wisdom and dedication that he brought to bear in the course of performing his duties.
“Jakande’s administration as governor of Lagos state is still revered for the massive infrastructural development recorded during his four-year tenure, especially the numerous Jakande Estates built across many local governments in the State as well as sterling investment in schools,” Salis said.
He added that his dedication to the growth and development of Lagos state was enormous. “Among his numerous achievements is the construction of the current Lagos State Secretariat, which houses all the ministries as well as the popular Round House hitherto occupied by all subsequent governors of the state, the Lagos State House of Assembly complex, Lagos State Television, Lagos Radio and Lagos State University.
“His government built General Hospitals in zones all over the state with the assurance of free health care, Teacher Training College and the College of Education, low-cost houses in Ijaiye, Dolphin, Oke-Afa, Ije, Abesan, Iponri, Ipaja, Abule Nla, Epe, Amuwo-Odofin, Anikantamo, Surulere, Iba, Ikorodu, Badagry, Isheri/Olowu, Orisigun, Water Management Board and Waste Disposal Board.
“His government constructed the Adiyan Water Works to increase water supply in the state to 18.16 million litres per day, modernised and expanded the Iju Water Works, which was first commissioned in 1915. This increased daily capacity from 159 million to 204 million litres per day, among other developments. He paid his dues and Lagosians will always remember him; his contribution to the development of the state will not be forgotten. ”
