Lateef Jakande, First Civilian Governor Of Lagos, Dies At 91

The first civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, is dead.

He died in the early hours of Thursday at the age of 91.

Burial arrangements are being discussed by the family, his son Deji, a former member of the House of Representatives said.

Jakande, a former journalist became governor of Lagos State in Nigeria from 1979 to 1983, and later was Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime.

His administration as governor of Lagos state is still revered for the massive infrastructural development recorded during his four-year stint especially the numerous Jakande Estates built across many local governments in the State as well as sterling investment in schools.

He expanded a yet to be matched record in building affordable housing for the people.

Jakande built estates in Ijaiye, Dolphin, Oke-Afa, Ije, Abesan, Iponri, Ipaja, Abule Nla, Epe, Anikantamo, Surulere, Iba, Ikorodu, Badagry and offered 30 year mortgage for apartments sold for between N6,000 and N8,000.

Jakande also was the governor who opened up many parts of the state, to link them all to form the megapolis that Lagos is known for today.

It was his government that also opened up the Lekki-Epe corridor in his first term, between 1979 and 1983. Hitherto, Epe residents used to go via Ijebu-Ode or Ikorodu to reach Ikeja, the capital.