Abiola encouraged Jakande to serve as Minister under Abacha, says former Governor’s son

The fact has emerged on how the former Civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande became a Minister under the military administration of late General Sanni Abacha, as the son of the deceased Governor disclosed that his father was encouraged by late Moshood Abiola to take up the appointment.

Penpushing reports that Seyi Jakande disclosed this on Monday at the Lateeef Jakande Annual Memorial Lecture with the theme ‘Lateef Jakande: The Man, His Journalism, His Politics’ organized by the Nigerian Guild of Editors(NGE) held in Lagos

The son in his speech at the well-attended ceremony which had in attendance journalism icons which also include hundreds of journalists across the country and other stakeholders said when Abacha took over government, it was late Abiola who approached his father to participate in the regime as cabinet member.

Penpushing further reports that he said Jakande was reluctant to take the appointment, but after persuasion by Abiola, who emphasized the need for him on need to contribute his quota, adding that pressures were also mounted on some other quarters.

The late governor’s son quoted late Abiola as saying that the government was for the interest of all, and therefore recommended Jakande as Minister who later agreed to be part of the cabinet of the administration of the late dictator

‘The late Chief MKO Abiola of blessed memory appealed to Alhaji Jakande to come and serve under the late head of state Sani Abacha. Alhaji Jakande was reluctant at first because this was against his policies, against his principles, but Chief MKO Abiola was adamant and insisted…you must accept. He took it to his committee of friends. As always he always put things through the democratic process, and they put a vote to it. I think about 99.9% said he must join the cabinet.”

Penpushing also reports that other notable journalism icons at the event include Chief Segun Osoba(former Governor of Ogun State), Akogun Tola Adeniyi, , Sam Amuka, Dr Dayo Duyile Ambassador Dele Cole, Garba Shehu and General Ike Nwachukwu among others.

The former Governor of Ogun State in his remarks described Jakande as a time conscious journalist with listening ears for everybody that has contact with him, adding that his contributions in journalism has remained reference point in the profession

Penpushing reports that Osoba said the late former Governor was the first African to chair meeting of International Press Institute(IPI), adding that he singlehandedly brought the institute to Nigeria, as well as played major role in the establishment of Nigerian Institute of Journalism(NIJ)

The former Governor disclosed that he was one of the first set of students of the journalism college facilitated by  Jakande  with academic activities from University of Lagos, adding  that the deceased  was a grassroot politician who  in his life time created political clinic where he attends to his political lieutenants

Penpushing further reports that Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his address at the ceremony urged the younger generation of journalists to imbibe the virtues of Jakande in their professional and public service.

The Governor represented by his Deputy Dr Obafemi Hamzat stated that the administration and the people of Lagos State will forever remember Jakande and his good deeds to Lagosians, disclosing that to immortalize him the administration has established the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy to unleash the potentials of the next generation leaders.

Penpushing also reports that President of Nigerian Guild of Editors(NGE) Eze Anaba, earlier explained that  the event was to celebrate the impactful life of a man whose name could not be omitted in the history of modern journalism.

The President while speaking on the economic situation of the country, pointed out that it has affected the cost of production, hence the need for media managers to think outside the box on finding a solution.

Penpushing reports that Chairman of the occasion, Ambassador Patrick Dele_Cole, in his remarks described late Jakande as a selfless mentor with many firsts, who works will always be remembered all time

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun in his own remarks said he was delighted to address the noble assemblage of media elite and professionals across all the strata of the industry in loving memory of one of the greatest Nigerians ever lived, and a progressive ideologue of note.

‘This maiden Lateef Jakande Annual Memorial Lecture has come at a time when Nigeria is in dire need of developmental drive and democratic culture of the first Civilian Governor of Lagos State and former Minister of Works and Housing’, he said.

Penpushing further reports that the Governor represented by his Consultant on Media, Kayode Akinmade commended the initiative of Nigerian Guide of Editors for coming up with a programme of that nature as a way of activating conversation around the indelible legacies of their pioneered President and the late doyen in journalism.

‘Baba Kekere’s penchant and uncompromised stance for professionalism and responsible journalism, coupled with his selfless disposition to serve humanity clearly stood him out of his contemporaries and obviously created a larger than life image for him in the political space and Nigeria’s media industry’, Abiodun added.

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