Lateef Jakande, first civilian governor of Lagos state, has died at the age of 91.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, announced his death on Thursday.
”With gratitude to God for a worthy life well spent in the service of Lagos State, Nigeria and humanity, I announce the death of a venerable statesman, outstanding politician, public administrator and the first Civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Jakande was governor of Lagos from 1979 to 1983. He was later appointed minister of works by Sani Abacha in 1993.
Jakande is reputed to have initiated sweeping reforms in education and infrastructure while he was Lagos governor.
His polices centred on low-income groups and the middle class. He taxed the rich to take care of the poor. He built 30,000 housing units in estates across Lagos and provided free primary and secondary education.
He founded the Lagos State University and started the metroline project to ease the transportation burden in the state.
But the project was aborted when the military regime led by Muhammadu Buhari took over power in 1983.
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