The former Chief Press Secretary to the late Governor Lateef Kayode Jakande, Prince Bayo Osiyemi, stated that the first civilian governor of Lagos State delivered 30,000 housing units across the state due to his dedication to public service and duty.
Osiyemi made this revelation in his lecture delivered at the 40th-anniversary celebration of the commissioning of the Jakande Estate, Oke-Afa, Isolo, held at the MKO mini stadium, Isolo, Lagos.
According to the former CPS, the state’s people were the centrepiece of the administration of the late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande.
He stated, “Baba Jakande was an exemplary governor who saw public office as an avenue to minister to people’s needs without looking forward to personal gain.
He was imbued with an uncommon sense of mission, as he thought out of the box in providing for the masses of people of Lagos State. How was he able to achieve this phenomenal feat within a space of four years and three months that his administration lasted before the soldiers struck?
And how was it possible to deliver a two-bedroom flat for N5000 and a three-bedroom flat for N6000 in a fair allocation manner that gave no room for favoritism or preferential treatment?
Alhaji Jakande himself offered an explanation for these accomplishments by postulating that you can achieve the impossible if you commit yourself without compromise to a worthy cause or mission, without permitting any distractions.
It was because of this single-minded devotion to public service and duty that he was able to deliver a total of 30,000 housing units across the state in Amuwo-Odofin, Iponri, Abule-nla, Abesan, Dolphin, Anikantamo, Iba, Surulere, Ijaiye, Ijeh, and Badagry in four years and three months.”
He, therefore, identified man’s inhumanity to man, manifested in middlemen syndrome and excessive craving for profit, as the major reasons why the provision of affordable housing was a rarity before his advent in government.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Engr. Fatai Oloko, President, Jakande Estate Residents’ Association, complained about insecurity in the estate and the neglect of the historic structure by its manager, the Lagos State Building Investment Corporation.
He appealed to the Nigerian Police through the Executive Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Hon. Monsurudeen Oloyede Bello, to assist in curbing the scourge of insecurity in the community.
He said, “We rejoiced that Alhaji Jakande commissioned our Estate for civilian use as planned at the eve of his tenure as governor because nobody would have been sure of what will have happened the following day.
40 years down, amidst neglect by our estate managers, Lagos State Building Investment Corporation (LBIC), the collapse of our infrastructure that is roads, sewage networks, no more portable water, and supervision of maintenance of our buildings. The unavailability of a perimeter fence and gates makes the estate very porous, thus a surge in insecurity. We want to use this medium to seek help as our estate is where we call home.”
The wife of the late former Governor, Alhaja Abimbola Sikirat Jakande, appreciated the organizers for the honor bestowed on the family of the politician, leader, and philanthropist.
She said, “I remember when the Jakande estate started; I cannot forget the iron lady and the chief Imam. Those I remember are many here. I appreciate the associations of all the estate.
Prince Oshiyemi was also part of the development. I thank God that Jakande was able to achieve this, and his efforts were appreciated both while he was alive and in death.
I am happy that my husband is being celebrated today. On behalf of his family, I thank you all. Thanks so much. May you live long to reap the fruit of your struggle.”
The Executive Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Hon Monsurudeen Oloyede Bello, expressed his administration’s support in curbing insecurity in the community.
He said, “40 years anniversary is not a joke. We would have celebrated the event, but we have lost the glory of the estate, which we are trying to recover. What was the intention for creating this estate? To solve the housing needs of residents in the district.
But we didn’t take ownership of this legacy, and it was hijacked by some people, and we lost the glory.
Today, we have identified one of the common challenges which is insecurity. But I can tell you for free as the Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, I have contributed a lot to the security of the Estate.
I am assuring you that before the end of our tenure, we will do more. Our security challenge has been tackled as we have identified all black spots within the community.
We want to revive the lost glory of the Estate; hence, we must do away with politics. We must boldly confront LBIC to return our investment in the interest of residents in the Estate.”
The event’s highlight was the presentation of an award of honour to the wife of the late Jakande and the unveiling of a statue in memory of the late governor.
