Jakande: Former president Obasanjo extols ex-governor's exploits in journalism
- Olusegun Obasanjo, a former president of Nigeria, has reacted to the death of Alhaji Lateef Jakande
- Jakande died on Thursday, February 11, in Lagos at the age of 91
- Obasanjo described the deceased as an accomplished journalist and politician
PAY ATTENTION: Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has said that the late governor of Lagos state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande served the country principally through journalism and newspaper management before becoming an active politician.
Legit.ng reports that in his condolence letter to the wife of the late first civilian governor, Alhaja Sikirat Abimbola, a copy of which was made available to the newsmen by his media assistant, Kehinde Akinyemi, in Abeokuta, Obasanjo said Jakande deserved all accolades poured on him over his death.
Obasanjo who went down memory lane on the pen profession of the late governor stated that his success catapulted him to the height he got to in the public office.
Source: Twitter
He said:
"With a deep sense of loss, I write, on behalf of my family and on my behalf, to sympathise with you over the demise of your beloved husband and patriarch, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, at the age of 91 and I want you to know that we all are also bereaved and we feel the pain of the transition of this great hero and son of Nigeria.
"He served this nation principally through journalism and through newspaper management before becoming an active politician. It must not be forgotten that he served as an Editor-in-Chief of the Nigerian Tribune at a stage in his career where he acquitted himself as a positively-minded, focused and imaginative personality.
"Indeed, he steered the company to editorial credibility and profitability and this has remained a reference point in the history of the organization till today. It is with similar verve and energy that he pursued his work at John West Publications which was established by him to publish The Lagos News.
"He was a master of the craft of column-writing. He also helped in the professional re-orientation of the younger generation of journalists in all the media organisations he had found himself.
Obasanjo said Jakande would be remembered as a fine journalist and one that was greatly admired by the general public and his peers as a straight-forward and complete gentleman majorly.
PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app
The former president noted that Jakande was, by all measure, a great man, an ardent patriot, a and an astute politician and reputable administration.
He said although Jakande's loss has robbed the nation of the services which he so generously offered his community, state and nation, Nigerians would continue to recall his contributions to national development and abiding commitment to the well-being of his people in Lagos state.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that Deji, a former member of the House of Representatives and son of the late Alhaji Jakande, said his father did not show any sign of illness in the last 24 hours.
It was reported that Deji said Jakande fondly called Baba Kekere by admirers, revalidated his membership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday, February 10.
Source: Legit.ng
