Adeyeye urges Nigerians to emulate late Lateef Jakande in values-based leadership

*Senator Dayo Adeyeye says late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, former Governor of Lagos State, was one of the few Lagosians and Nigerian leaders that have brought governance closer to the people

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

Stressing that the essence of good governance lies in the ability of the elected to impact positively the lives of the people, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, a chieftain of the Ekiti State All Progressives Congress and former Publicity Secretary of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has urged Nigerians in general and politicians in particular to emulate the worthy legacies late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande (LKJ), former Governor of Lagos State and democrat, left behind.

Adeyeye, who expressed this in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, in a statement by Gboyega Adeoye, his Media Manager, said the essence of governance lies in the ability of the elected to impact positively the lives of the people.

Late Jakande, who was also a Minister of Works and Housing under the regime of late Gen. Sani Abacha, died Thursday morning, and was interred in line with Islamic rites in Lagos, Friday, February 12, 2021.

Adeyeye extolled the exemplary and selfless service of Alhaji Jakande, describing him as “a magical creation, master servant with genuine concern for the masses.”

The former Minister of State for Works also stated Jakande in his lifetime, distinguished himself for the massive infrastructural development recorded during his four-year tenure as the Lagos State Governor, especially the numerous Jakande Estates built across local governments and investments in schools in the state.

According to Adeyeye, “Jakande lived for the good of others, state and country and his legacy of standing for all would be long remembered while his impact on the commercial nerve centre of the country, Lagos State, which was the former national capital, would continue to inspire visionary leadership.”

In terms of his contribution to the growth of democracy and good governance in Nigeria, he described the erstwhile governor of Lagos State as “a patriot, whose wisdom would run through generations, especially in putting people first in development plans.”

He noted: “It is on record that Alhaji Jakande throughout his tenure lived in his personal house in Ilupeju area of Lagos and also used his personal car, apart from other landmark projects consummated by his administration.

“He would remain one of the best public office holders in the political history of Nigeria, based on how he transformed Lagos State and Nigeria during his tenure as governor and minister of works and housing.

He was an epitome of honesty, dedication and selflessness, who used his elevated positions for the betterment of the people he served, said Adeyeye.

According to him, late Jakande was one of the few Lagosians and Nigerian leaders that demystified politics by bringing governance closer to the people.