‘I tried to walk in his spirit’ — Tinubu extols Jakande’s virtues

Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos state, has paid tribute to Lateef Jakande, who died on Thursday at the age of 91.

Jakande was the governor of Lagos state between 1979 and 1983.

Extolling the virtues of the former governor, Tinubu said he walks in Jakande’s spirit, and commended him for the development he brought to the state.

“Thousands of Lagosian families still reside in the several housing estates he constructed across the state. Thousands of beneficiaries of his free education scheme are accomplished professionals and successful individuals in diverse fields today,” Tinubu said.

“The Jakande administration conceptualised and actualised the Lagos-Badagry Expressway that opened that whole sector of the state for development. His administration conceived the Round Office from which I operated for eight years as governor, but he did not occupy the structure even for one day.

“This was characteristic of him for Papa toiled and worked not for his personal benefit but for the future and the good of others. Incidentally, my administration conceived the new Lagos State Governor’s Office, which I never occupied for one day!

“In this and in most other things, I tried to walk in the spirit of Jakande! The late elder statesman was a fount of invaluable advice and support throughout my tenure as governor. He was a mature statesman never given to histrionics or fanning the embers of disunity.

“At difficult moments in the nation’s history, such as the struggle against military dictatorship, he took personal painful decisions that cost him a lot but his integrity was never impugned.

“My last memory of him was at his 90th birthday last year when we gathered to celebrate him. The great man sat there, silent, bowed, humble, unaffected – a model lesson of servant leadership.

The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) also condoled with the deceased’s family, and prayed that Allah would comfort them.