The Executive Director of a leading Non-governmental Housing advocacy organization, Housing Development Advocacy Network, (HDAN), Mr. Festus Adebayo, has urged the Lagos State Government, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State house of assembly and eminent leaders of thought in Lagos State to see to the actualization of the re-naming of Lagos State University, (LASU), after the former Civilian Governor of Lagos State, Late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande.
Mr Adebayo, a leading housing advocate made the appeal while speaking at the 3rd Jakande Housing Lecture Series held in Lagos.
According to him, nothing is too much to appreciate Late Alhaji Jakande popularly known as ‘Baba Kekere” for his enormous impact in the development of Lagos State and being the governor who founded LASU.
He said, “Our revered Housing Icon, late Alh. Lateef Kayode Jakande (CON) needs to be properly honoured and recognized by the Lagos State government if truly the state is the Centre of Excellence as it is often referred to.
Late Jakande’s vision on affordability of housing delivery is unparallel and yet to be equaled by any of his contemporaries for his leadership and selfless service to the state, nation and mankind.
“The Ogun State government has re-named the state university after the former governor, it’s founder and it is now known as Olabisi Onabanjo University, the same with the first state university in Nigeria established 40 years ago as Bendel State University by the then Bendel State Governor, Ambrose Folorunsho Alli, is now known as Ambrose Alli University, bearing the name of the founder.
In 2002, Kogi State University was re- named after its founder, it is now Prince Abubakar Audu University, (PAAU), while in February 2020, the Ondo State Government
also re-named the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa, after a former governor of the state, Olusegun Agagu.
Even the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, has been re-named Adeyinka Adebayo University, after the late military governor of the defunct Western Region.
Jakande needs to join his fellow governors of the Second Republic who have the universities they established named after them for posterity.”
“Where are all the followers and admirers of LKJ, Where are the politicians that rode on the back of Jakande to seek people’s votes and come to linelight? why are they keeping quiet on this matter, when would they speak out? Silent is not Golden on this important issue”, he insisted.
According to Mr Adebayo, HDAN is set to unveil affordable housing Hall of Fame in honour of Late Jakande and others who have contributed immensely to affordable housing delivery for Nigerians, stating that Late Alhaji Lateef Jakande with Professor Akin Mabogunje and several other eminent Nigerians both living and dead would to be honoured on Friday, December 10, 2021 at an epic event, Africa Housing Awards scheduled for Abuja.
Alhaji Abdul-Lateef Kayode Jakande born on July 23, 1929 died at the age of 91 on February 11, 2021.
A seasoned Nigerian journalist was governor of Lagos State from 1979 to 1983, and later Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime from 1993 to 1998.
He was Editor-in-Chief of the Tribune Newspapers between 1956 and 1975 before he established John West Publications and began to publish The Lagos News. He served as the first President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, (NPAN).
