Alhaji Lateef Jakande, a veteran journalist and politician, was a former Governor of Lagos State between 1979 and 1983. Jakande is in his twilight years, but his name still arouses a longing in the people of the state, particularly those who are old enough to have witnessed his administration. Many residents recall his housing projects and qualitative, yet free education programme that seemed to be the hallmark of his administration. Three decades have passed since his departure from the office of the governor, but his legacies still stand firm in various places across the state. Examples are the many housing units dubbed ‘Jakande estates’ which were built during his administration for low and middle income earners. His commitment towards education was also well known as Jakande made a name for himself as an advocate of free education in schools. Many of the schools built during his administration still dot the metropolis till today.
While in government, Jakande shunned the paraphernalia of the office for a modest lifestyle. Whereas many past governors and other public office holders live in affluence, Jakande retired to his Ilupeju residence in Lagos, where he is often sighted, seated on the balcony in the evenings. A military coup in December 1983 scuttled his administration and even after the take-over, Jakande endured a tough time. He was charged, prosecuted and convicted of treason, but later pardoned by the military government.
Jakande is a hero of the people, particularly in Lagos. However, his decision to accept an appointment by a former military Head of State, late General Sani Abacha, in 1993 was not well received by the public.
When Saturday PUNCH approached Jakande for an interview, he agreed. But after two appointments which he had to reschedule due to other commitments, Jakande asked our correspondent to leave the questions with him so he could respond to them in his free time. Our correspondent volunteered to leave his e-mail address but his personal assistant said everything would have to be done by hard copy as Jakande did not have internet facilities at home.
A few days later when Jakande replied, our correspondent was surprised that his responses were short and crisp. His workers explained that the former governor was too old to give lengthy responses. “He won’t write more than this; you know he’s old,” one of them said.
In this interview, Alhaji Jakande shares his experiences with GBENRO ADEOYE
You appear to be living a simple lifestyle, do you have satisfaction?
I am very satisfied with my life.
You’re 84 years old. How has the journey been for you?
I have good cause to thank God for His mercy on me throughout my life.
Today, governors and other public office holders complain of inadequate resources. How were you able to build so many schools and housing estates during your time as Lagos governor, was more money available to you?
I was able to build so many buildings and houses by mobilising all necessary funds from both the private and public sectors to execute the programme.
Your children attended public schools. How do you feel today that leaders send their children abroad to school?
I feel that it is wrong and unfair for leaders to educate their children abroad while other children are educated in Nigeria. It is not fair.
Even the estates you built then are still the ones that low and medium income earners can afford as the ones built by the state these days are only affordable to the rich. How do you feel about this?
I believe that the government at every level has a duty to provide housing for all classes of people. Housing is very important.
Many states in the country have adopted different models of free education, including Lagos State, how do their programmes compare with your free education policy?
I do not know enough about the free education programmes of the present governments, so I cannot comment on it.
Many have questioned the free education policy of some of the states as lacking in quality. For instance, Saturday PUNCH recently ran reports about public secondary schools in Lagos where students sit on the floor and on windows during classes. What do you think about this kind of free education?
I am sorry that there are some state government schools in Lagos State where children sit on the floor to receive lectures. If I know the school, I shall contact the governor to see what we can do to provide desks and chairs for the children.
Students in the Lagos State University which you established now pay up to N250,000 as tuition fee. Do you think that free education at all levels of education is possible?
Yes, I am very sure that this country can and should provide free education at all levels. Nigeria has the resources.
What difference is there between the Lagos of yesterday and that of today?
Lagos is growing and developing in every aspect of its economy and I am happy about it.
Some people say you should not have accepted the position of Minister of Works under late General Abacha, since he was seen to have thwarted the country’s pursuit towards democracy by refusing to swear in Chief Moshood Abiola as our democratically elected president. Do you regret accepting the offer?
I accepted the invitation to join the military government of (a former military Head of State) Sani Abacha because I wanted to use the opportunity to pursue my programme of free education and affordable housing and I succedded in doing so. He did not stop me. I am grateful to God Almighty for helping me to execute my programme in both my civilian administration and during the military intervention.
What was your experience like working with late General Abacha?
I found General Abacha to be honest and hardworking. He supported my programme in every possible way.
You are a veteran journalist having worked at the Daily Service and later at the Nigerian Tribune, where you were made the Editor. What do you think about Nigerian journalism today?
Nigerian journalism is doing well. Our journalism practice and profession compare favourably with that of any other country in the democratic world.
You later established your own newspaper- Lagos News, but it’s no more today, what happened to it?
My Lagos News was vibrant and popular, but I had to close it down for economic reasons. I will soon resume the publication of Lagos News weekly on Monday.
Why do most media houses in Nigeria struggle to survive? Many even struggle to pay their workers. What do you think is the problem?
Most media houses struggle to stand these days truly, but I think that the secret of success is good journalistic practice and efficient management.
What is your opinion of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s government in Lagos?
Governor Babatunde Fashola is doing well. I am proud of him.
In a recent interview with Saturday PUNCH, Dr. Omololu Olounloyo said Chief Awolowo never understood real politics at anytime. You were also close to Chief Awolowo, what do you make of Dr. Olunloyo’s opinion?
Dr. Olunloyo was talking nonsense. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a great politician who lived and died in total service of the Nigerian people.
You are with the All Progressives Party now, but back then, you were with the Unity Party of Nigeria. Are there similarities between APC and the old UPN, which you once belonged to?
The APC has not reached the level of UPN but it will get there.
You are also famously known as ‘Baba kekere’ (Small man), what’s the story behind the name?
It was Chief Awolowo who gave me the title of Baba kekere when he was Baba Agba. He attended the commissioning of our housing estate in Amuwo Odofin in Lagos. On that occasion, Chief Awolowo said that in Yoruba tradition, Baba kekere was the man immediately next to the Alafin of Oyo.
What do you want to be remembered for?
I want to be remembered for the large number of men and women who would not have achieved their greatness in life but for my free education pregramme and as part of my selfless service to all.
Do you have any regrets in life?
I have no cause for regret. On the contrary, I am forever grateful to God for His mercy and blessing throughout my life.
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