By Bukola Adetoye
Brig.-Gen. Mohammad Buba Marwa (Retired) on Sunday said that the late first Executive Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, lived an exemplary life worth emulating by all Nigerians.
Marwa, the military governor of Lagos State between 1996 and 1999, said this when he paid a condolence visit to Alhaja Abimbola Jakande, the wife and family members of late Jakande at the Lagos residence of the deceased.
Marwa is the curent Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that Alhaji Jakande died on Feb.11,2021.
Jakande was the first Executive Governor of Lagos State, from 1979 to 1983.
He was a journalist and he first worked with the Daily Service and then in 1953, he joined the Nigerian Tribune Newspaper where he rose to become its Editor-in-Chief.
He was the first President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).
He was Minister of Works under the late Gen. Sani Abacha-led military regime from 1993 to 1998, among other giants achievements.
The NDLEA boss also described the late Jakande as a great humanitarian.
According to him, it is very sad to pay the condolence visit to the family of his predecessor in office.
However, God knows the best.
He was a very religious man and a journalist per excellence and a lover peace.
He did very well as a former governor of Lagos State because he brought smiles to the people as their governor between 1979 and 1983 through his people-oriented programmes.
Marwa said that when he served as the governor of Lagos State between 1996 and 1999, Jakande was supportive of his administration.
When I was appointed as the chairman of NDLEA, he also sent me a congratulatory message.
I prayed that he rests well, May God give us the heart to accept his passing away as no one lives forever, Marwa said.
The widower, Alhaja Abimbola Jakande, in her words thanked the NDLEA boss for the visit.
I thank you all for putting us in mind, God bless, she said.
NAN reports that the entourage that followed the NDLEA boss on the condolence visit include the NDLEA Lagos Commander, Mr Ralph Igwenagu; and the Apapa Seaport Commander, Mr Samuel Gadzama.
Others are: the Director of Airports operations, Mrs Joyce -Titus Awogbayi and the Commander, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command, Mr Ahmadu Gatba. (NAN)
Source: NAN News