Deputy Governor of Lagos state, Obafemi Hamzat, veterans in Nigerian Journalism have extolled the virtues of the Late Lateef Jakande as a pen pusher and described him as worthy of emulation.
They spoke in Lagos, at the first Lateef Jakande Annual Memorial Lecture, 2023, with the theme: Lateef Jakande: The Man, His journalism, His Politics.
The Late Lateef Jakande was a Nigerian journalist and politician who served as governor of Lagos State from 1979 to 1983.
In 1949, he started his career in journalism first with the Daily Service and then in 1953 joined the Nigerian Tribune and three years after he was appointed editor-in-chief of the Tribune by the owner the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
His work as one Nigeria’s finest journalists, is the reason veteran journalists are gathered here to celebrate the founder of Nigeria institute of journalism.
Speaking at the annual lecture, Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his deputy, Dr. Femi Hamzat describes Jakande’s life as a reflection of humanity at its abundance with several stories of positive impacts.
For Former governor of Ogun state, Olusegun Osoba, he says the late Lateef Jakande was a grassroots governor, loved by resident in the state
For many the former governor demonstrated visionary leadership and selflessness in the service of the people and humanity
Even as they extol the Late Jakande’s strides in the media, these journalists advised media organisations on financial and editorial independence of the profession as the fourth estate of the realm.
