Lateef Jakande’s Son Wants Gov Sanwo-Olu To Rename LASU After Father…Let’s Promote Transparent, Just Society To Honour His Memory-IPI Chief

Seyi,  who is one of the sons of the first civilian governor of Lagos state,  Alhaji Lateef Jakande, has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to consider renaming the Lagos state University, LASU, after his father.

Accompanied by his mother, Abimbola,  Seyi also clarified that his father was not willing to serve under late General Sani Abacha, but was however encouraged to do so by  late Chief MKO Abiola.

‘In 2019, when Baba was celebrating his 90th birthday, the Vice- Chancellor of LASU came up with a proposal that the university should be renamed after my father.

Let me thank Mr. Governor for establishing LKJ Leadership Academy  in honour of  my father, but I also want to appeal to Mr Governor to consider renaming LASU after him.

Two of his colleagues;  then, Prof Ambrose Ali of the old Bendel State and Bisi Onabanjo of Ogun State, came to my father in Lagos to understudy how LASU was founded.

My father then instructed Prof Femi Agbalajobi to put them through. Today, both universities have been renamed after the founders.

Bendel state University is now Ambrose Ali University, while Ogun state University has changed to Olabisi Onabanjo University to reflect the names of the founders.

What is good for the goose is good for the gander’  he said.

Team@orientactualmags.com learned that Seyi  said this during  the first annual memorial lecture organized by the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, in honour of Alhaji  Lateef Jakande in  Lagos.

Those who spoke about Jakande  in glowing terms during  the  event held at  the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Lagos state, include Governors Bababjide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun);  Aremo Segun Osoba; former Foreign Affairs Minister,  retired Major-General Ike Nwachukwu ; Lagos state Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; NGE President, Mr. Eze Anaba; former NGE President, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye; Felix Adenaike; and Frane Maroevic, Executive Director, International Press Institute, IPI, who was represented by Alhaji Raheem Adedoyin.

Alhaji Raheem Adedoyin ,a one-time Kwara state Commissioner for Information, is a veteran journalist and a member of the Executive Board of IPI.

Also at the event were publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Mr. Sam Amuka; Alhaja Sikirat Jakande, widow of late Lateef Jakande; Akogun Tola Adeniyi; former Managing Director, Guardian Newspaper, Mr. Lade Bonuola; former Provost Nigeria Institute of Journalism, NIJ, Dr. Dayo Duyile; former Presidential Spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu; Oba Rufus Olanrewaju Ajayi; former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos state, Gbenga Omotoso among others.

Frane Maroevic, Executive Director, International Press Institute, IPI, who was represented by Alhaji Raheem Adedoyin  , noted  that the best  way to honour  Jakande’s memory ‘is to promote  a more transparent and just society, and  support watchdog journalism’.

‘Today, we pay homage to this incredible legacy. However, let us also recognize that

the best way to honour his memory is to carry on his work and uphold the principles he stood for—defending independent journalism globally.

In our pursuit of a more transparent and just society, we must support watchdog journalism that vigilantly monitors the actions of government institutions, corporations, and powerful individuals.

Investigative journalism, with its courage to expose corruption and abuse of power, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the public interest.

Moreover, we must amplify voices from marginalized communities and individuals, shedding light on issues that would otherwise remain unnoticed or overlooked.

Journalism serves as a powerful catalyst for public discourse, providing a platform for diverse perspectives and opinions to be heard.

In upholding the values that Alhaji Lateef Jakande held dear, we can contribute to positive change and foster accountability in our societies. As journalists, it is our responsibility to be the guardians of truth and the vanguards of integrity.

Let us carry forward the torch of independent journalism, honouring the legacy of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, and continuing his mission to create a world where truth prevails, justice reigns, and the voices of the marginalized find a powerful resonance’ the IPI chief said.

Frane Maroević  also recognized the contribution of the former Lagos state governor to the development and progress of the IPI recalling that he was the first African to lead the Executive Board of the organization.

‘ Lateef Jakande’s significant contribution to journalism extended beyond the borders of Nigeria, as he became the first African to lead the Executive Board of the International Press Institute. In this role, he championed press freedom and defended the rights of journalists worldwide, leaving behind a legacy of advocacy that resonates with us all.

His impact on journalism goes far beyond his leadership at IPI.

Lateef Jakande’s visionary initiatives, such as establishing Radio Lagos, Lagos Television, the Nigeria Guild of Editors,  and the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, have had a lasting influence on media development in Nigeria and beyond’  the IPI Director added.

 Giving his speech, Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, described Jakande’s life as a reflection of humanity at its abundance with several stories of positive impacts.

‘Life is not determined by how long one lives but by the number of lives one was able to impact positively.  I am glad that we are here today to be part of this annual lecture instituted to honour the memory of a great administrator, an elder statesman, and the first civilian governor of our state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, who did not only live long to the ripe age of 91, but whose life was a reflection of humanity at its abundance with several stories of positive impacts.

Though the passing of Alhaji Jakande was somewhat painful to us as a state and to individuals who knew him personally because he was indeed a man of lovable personality, who we wished could live forever, we must give unreserved appreciation to God for blessing us with him and for also giving him the grace to live a life that touched and impacted lives.

I will like to commend the President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Eze’ he said.

Jakande , a journalist and a politician, was born on July 23, 1929-Team@orientactualmags.com
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