The Lagos State People’s Democratic Party(PDP) ably led by Engr Adedeji Doherty has commiserated with the Lagos State Government and indeed the entire people of Lagos State on the death of the former Lagos State Governor Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande (LKJ) at the ripe age of 91 years.
Engr Doherty stated that Alhaji Jakande as Governor of Lagos and later Federal Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha Government would go down in history books for his landmark achievements in the state.
The underlisted are recorded as some his achievements:
His government built the current Lagos State Secretariat.
His government built the Lagos State House of Assembly complex.
His government built the Lagos State Television
His government built the Lagos Radio
His government built Lagos State University
His government established General Hospital in zones all over the state with assurance of free health care.
His government established Teacher Training College and the College of Education.
His government built low cost houses in Ijaiye, Dolphin, Oke-Afa, Ije, Abesan, Iponri, Ipaja, Abule Nla, Epe, Amuwo-Odofin, Anikantamo, Surulere, Iba, Ikorodu, Badagry, Isheri/Olowu, Orisigun etc.
His government established the Water Management Board and Waste Disposal Board.
His government constructed the Adiyan Water Works to increase water supply in the state to 18.16 million litres per day.
His government modernized and expanded the Iju Water Works to increase its daily capacity from 159 million to 204 million litres per day.
His government constructed Victoria Island/Epe Road and thereby creating an ‘oil rig’ for Lagos State.
His government established Asphalt Plant for the Department of Public Works.
His government established Electricity Board for Rural Electrification with provision of street lights.
His government modernized, expanded and commissioned Onikan Stadium in 1982.
His government established a singular school system and ensured genuine free education in Lagos State.
His government constructed 11, 729 classrooms with the maximum of 40 children per class between March and August 1980, by 1983, he had constructed over 22,000 classrooms.
In July 1983, two commercial passenger boats christened “Baba Kekere and Itafaji” to run the Mile 2 – Marina (CMS) route via the lagoons were inaugurated by his government to mark the official launch of the Lagos State ferry services.
His government established the first State Traffic Management Authority (Road Marshals).
His government established small scale Industries Credit Scheme which preceded the EKO bank.
His government established LASACO Insurance.
Engr Doherty eulogized the elder statesman, stating that his achievements and legacies would remain forever, even in the hearts of Lagosians yet unborn.
Engr Doherty stated that despite Alhaji Jakande’s age “We are all grieved by this huge loss to the state but we are however consoled by the fact that whatever Allah gives or takes belongs to him and everything is predestined by Him.
He prayed that Allah will grant him Jannatul-Firdaus and forgive his sins.
He also prayed that Allah would grant his family and friends the fortitude to bear the huge loss.
Engr Adedeji Doherty
Chairman People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Lagos State Chapter