Sanwo-Olu Receives Notes Jakande Left For Him Before His Death

Three days after the passing of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the late first Civilian Governor of Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday received two notes left for him by Jakande before his death.

Sanwo-Olu led a delegation of top government functionaries in the State to the Fidau (Islamic funeral prayer) held for the late Jakande at his Ilupeju residence on Sunday, during which the Governor personally conveyed his condolences to the deceased’s immediate and extended family members. 

 The visit came two days after the Governor attended the burial of the late Jakande at Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens, where the deceased’s remains were laid to rest. Jakande was the first politician to be elected as Executive Governor of Lagos, governing from 1979 to 1983.

 He died on February 11, 2021 at 91. Sanwo-Olu arrived at the deceased’s residence, at 10:23am, in company of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji, Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dr. Wale Ahmed, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, and the State’s Attorney General, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN. 

 Chairman of Odi Olowo-Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Rasak Ajala, joined the widow, Alhaja Abimbola Jakande, and her children to receive the Governor and his entourage. 

Before the prayers commenced, Sanwo-Olu held a meeting behind closed doors with the deceased’s family members, during which a close confidant of the late Jakande, Engr. Kamal Giwa, delivered two messages left for the Governor by the deceased. 

One of the messages is a personal ambition, which the late Jakande wanted fulfilled before his death. Jakande, the Governor said, was “tremendously outstanding” throughout his public career as the first Executive Governor of Lagos and as federal minister. 

Sanwo-Olu said Jakande’s achievements remained the guiding light for leaders across political divides, stressing that his “sterling” leadership qualities stood him out as one of the great men Lagos had produced.  

Sanwo-Olu urged the families to take solace in the legacy left by the former Governor, which, he said, remained indelible in the minds of the people who benefitted from his policies and programmes. 

The Governor said the manner in which Jakande passed away showed he led a fulfilled life and had departed to be at peace with his Creator. 

Sanwo-Olu said: “We give glory to Almighty Allah for giving Baba Jakande many years to live on earth. No matter how long we stay on the earth, we will leave when our time is up. As humans, we don’t like losing good people, especially a personality like Baba Jakande, who was tremendously outstanding in his service to humanity.