Owie Mourns Jakande

Former Chief Whip of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Rowland Owie, has commiserated with the family of Second Republic Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, who died in the early hours of Thurday at the age of 91.

In a statement in Benin, the Ex Senate Chief Whip who was also a member of the House of Representatives in the Second Republic and played an integral part of the National Caucus of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) said his family received with sadness, the death of the nonagenarian politician and Elderstateman

Extending his heartfelt condolences to his immediate family and the Government & people of Lagos State community over the loss of one of its pillars, he said “we have lost an illustrious Nigerian whose contributions to the growth and development of the Nation can best be described as inspirational and worthy of emulation.”

Owie who went down memory lane on the pen profession of the late governor, stated that his success catapulted him to the height he got to in public office.

According to him: “He served this nation principally through journalism and through newsroom management before pursuing a career in politics. It must not be forgotten that he served as an Editor-in-Chief of the Nigerian Tribune at a stage in his career where he acquitted himself as an intellectually fecund, focused and imaginative personality.

“Indeed, he led the company credibly and this has remained a reference point in the history of the organization till today. It is with similar gravitas and sagacity that he pursued his work at John West Publications which was established by him to publish The Lagos News.

“He would be remembered as a journalist par excellence and one that was greatly admired by the general public and his peers as a straight-forward and complete gentleman.”

Commenting on his sterling achievements as Governor of Lagos between 1979 – 1983, Owie said that the Jakande years remain a reference point for values-based leadership in public service.

“Uncle LKJ as we fondly called him, will be remembered for redefining the place of service and patriotism in Nigeria’s development. As Governor of Lagos, he focused of the infrastructural development of Lagos as the economic nerve centre of Nigeria. His legacy projects bear eloquent testimony to his vision and sincerity of purpose”.

“As Governor, he was always there for all of us who were members of UPN National caucus, especially during the weekly monday evening Parliamentary Meetings at the Parklane Residence of Papa Awolowo”

“Uncle LKJ was a firm believer in party supremacy, discipline and human development. He was the last of the five great Governors of the great UPN and would be sorely missed by all progressives”

“I, therefore, urge all who mourn the Uncle LKJ to take solace in the fact that his was a life of integrity and great accomplishments.”

“My family and I extend our most profound condolences to his devoted wife, Alhaja Abimbola Sikirat Jakande, the larger Jakande family and the Government of Lagos State on the demise of the erudite leader,” the former Chief Whip said.

He prayed Almighty God to grant his immediate family the strength to bear the irreparable loss, pointing out that his achievements in different areas of national life would always be remembered.

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