Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, Osoba, Others Enjoin Nigerians To Emulate Jakande’s Leadership Qualities
Seyi Jakande, Son of the First Civilian Governor of Lagos State, (left); Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Former Governor of Ogun State, (second left); Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos State Deputy Governor(second right); and Eze Anaba, President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), at the Lateef Jakande Annual Memorial Lecture, held at Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Ikeja, Lagos, On Monday.
LAGOS – Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, a former Ogun state governor and other dignitaries in the media space have called on Nigerians to emulate and embrace the leadership qualities of the first civilian governor of Lagos state, late Alhaji Lateef Jakande.
They made the call on Monday while speaking at the Lateef Jakande Annual Memorial Lecture, 2023 organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) with the theme; ‘Lateef Jakande: The Man, His Journalism, His Politics” at the Sheraton hotels in Ikeja.
Sanwo-Olu who was represented by Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, his Deputy said that this administration and the good people of Lagos State will forever remember Alhaji Lateef Jakande and his good deeds to Lagosians.
“To immortalize him, our administration established the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy to unleash the potential of the next generation of leaders. The Academy was established to immortalize the name of the first civilian governor of our State whose impact on the generality of our people was outstanding.“It will provide an avenue for the younger generation to imbibe the ideals and essence of responsive, responsible and selfless leadership which were the hallmarks of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande both in his private and public lives.
He said that this leadership programme will offer life-changing, nonpartisan and meritocratic opportunities to young Nigerians who desire to impact their generation through Public Service.
“I have no doubt in my mind that this annual lecture will, in addition to immortalizing the good name of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, espouse his ideals for the coming generation to imbibe in their professional and public service.
Abiodun who was represented by Kayode Akinmade, said that the maiden memorial lecture has come at a time when Nigeria is in dire need of a developmental drive and democratic culture of the first Civilian Governor of Lagos State and former Minister of Works and housing.
“Baba Kekere’s penchant and uncompromised stance for professionalism and responsible journalism, coupled with his selfless disposition to serve humanity clearly stood him out from his contemporaries and obviously created a larger-than-life image for him in the political space and Nigeria’s media industry.
“Today, we gather here to celebrate and honour the memory of an astute administrator, who combined media savvy with ideological perspectives of progressivism to build a foundation of responsive governance in Lagos State and Nigeria at large.
Rtd. General Ike Nwachukwu, Chairman of the occasion went down memory lane to recall how he met Jakande and his experience with him, stating that he was a man who is reliable and ready to bring out the best in people around him.
He said he is happy he met and worked with the late icon in the media profession.
Eze Anaba, President, NGE in his welcome address said Jakande lived an impactful life so much so that we can’t talk about the drivers of modern journalism in Nigeria without talking about him, that his footprint is everywhere.
“Many people who knew him closely would gladly testify that Baba Kekere was an incredible talent whether as a journalist or as a politician. He had a response to everything.
“Baba Kekere devoted his entire professional and political career to advancing the values of liberty and social justice. He also exemplified the values of honesty, integrity, courage, and fairness.
Osoba while speaking said that Jakande was involved in the formation of the NGE, that he single-handedly brought International Press Institute (IPI) to Nigeria and that he was a grassroots person.
“In politics, Jakande created a political clinic, twice in a week he created time for his people to see him, anybody, whoever you are, you bring your problem, he will listen to you, no other person has done that since he left office,” he said.
Independent.ng
