1.Jakande, who was born on July 23, 1929, was fondly called Baba Kekere, in reference to him being the younger version of former Western Region Premier, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
- According to his profile on the Lagos government website, Jakande’s parents were from Omu-Aran in Kwara State.
- He worked at Nigerian Tribune, where he rose through the ranks to become the Editor-in-Chief.
- It was Awolowo who encouraged him to run for the governorship seat of Lagos in 1979 and he won on the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria.
- His time in office was terminated by the military coup of the current president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) on December 31 1983.
- LKJ as he was also called lived a simple life including staying in his personal house and driving his personal car to work.
- After the December 1983 coup, Jakande was charged, prosecuted and convicted of treason, although later he was pardoned.
- Some of the legacies of his time in office include the Lagos State University, schools and low-cost housing estates popularly known as Jakande schools or estates, commercial boat transport plying Mile 2 to Marina, free education and more.
- LKJ was the founding father of Nigerian Institute of Journalism in 1963, the brain behind the establishment of the Newspapers’ Proprietors Association of Nigeria and Nigerian Guild of Editors.
- Throughout his lifetime, Jakande was never awarded a national honour, despite calls by notable Nigerians.
Credit: Punch Newspapers
