Less than two months after the demise of former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday promised the State Government would set up leadership academy to honour ‘Baba Kekere’ as he was fondly called by his political associates.

Jakande who was the first executive Governor of Lagos State died in February 11 and was buried the following day according to Islamic rites.

Governor Sanwo-Olu made the declaration at a special programme organized by the State Government to pay tributes to the elder statesman at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

The event was attended by the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Naheemot Salako-Oyedele, former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, ex-Lagos administrator, Brigadier General (retd.) Buba Marwa, APC party chieftains, family members of the deceased, Jakande’s contemporaries, market men and women, school children among others.

In his keynote address, Sanwo-Olu said, “we have to set up an endowment foundation, Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy. This is what he stood for during his life,” adding that this would let us produce leaders for tomorrow that would live the vision Jakande fought for.

To ensure that the academy is sustainable, Sanwo-Olu said, “it would be backed up with enable Act that generations after us will not be able to reverse.’

According to Sanwo-Olu, “Today, we celebrate a great man, a selfless leader,araregem,aquintessentialpolitician,an administrator par excellence, the first civilian Governor of Lagos State, architect of modern Lagos, and one of the leading disciples of the latesage,ChiefObafemiAwolowo, AlhajiLateef Kayode Jakande, “BabaKekere”,as obriquethe earned for taking after the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. A man who lived a full life; a life rich not in material things but in the things that truly matter: integrity, honour, service and character.

“Through his outstanding and unequalled achievements, Alhaji Lateef Jakande haswritten his name in gold. He will continue to be remembered by generations as a reference point in good governance, welfarism,  visionary leadership, selfless leadership, transformational leadership and leadership by example.

“One of the attributes of Alhaji Lateef Jakande that stood out to most people was his humility. He was never one to throw his greatness and clout around; he stayed simple and humble even at the height of his achievements, and until the very end.

“Prior to his foray into politics, Alhaji Jakande had built a reputation for himself as an outstanding journalist, fearless. He was widely celebrated for hisingenuity,courageandbrilliance,allofwhich he demonstrated in his writings as Editor-in-Chief of the Nigerian Tribune and apublisher.

“Alhaji Jakande’s achievements as Executive Governor of Lagos State within a period of four years and three months (1979-1983) are well documented for posterity. A careful analysis of the achievements whether in education, health, housing, transportation, environment, road infrastructure or agriculture, would reveal a leader shrewd in the management of resources, visionary, altruistic, selfless, disciplined, passionate and accountable.

“He truly demonstrated that the real essence of power is for the advancement of the welfare and empowerment of the greatest number of the people. He understood the power of education as the most potent weapon that can break the vicious cycle of poverty. He deployed it in a unique manner.

“As a result of his passionate and unrelenting commitment to the implementation of the free education policy of his party, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande succeeded in ensuring a level playing field for an entire generation of children. Several children of the poor and the less-privileged, who probably would not have known what the four walls of a classroom look like, have today become accomplished professionals and leaders in all.

“Baba was a transformational leader, who led by example. His commitment and dedication to buildingtheGreaterLagosofourdream,aLagos that works for all, was unequalled. He served the people with all his heart and never saw his position as a route to personal enrichment. He demystified public office through his simple and Spartan lifestyle.

“He set astandard that successive administrations will continue to strive to live up to and maintain.I can say without any fear of contradictionthat

Baba died a happy and fulfilled man because he was able to witness the progress that successive administrations, especially civilian governments, made with regards to actualizing theLagosofhisdream:aLagoswhereallcitizens are catered to (for), regardless of social or economic class, ethnic origin or religious outlook.

As I said in my tribute at the time of his passing, the highest honour we can indeed pay him is to continue to strive to live up to his leadership ideals and to deliver the full dividends of democracy to the people of Lagos, across every sector,” Sanwo-Olu stated.

In his response, the son of the late ex-Governor, Deji Jakande who spoke on behalf of the family, said his father was a great man but created time for his family.

He added that what the family needed from the public was prayers, “so that we will not derail.”

He said, “His death is a great challenge for the family, saying “I called my siblings, we have decided to keep the good name going because all eyes are on us.”

In his welcome address, the Deputy Governor of Lagos, Dr Kadir Hamzat recalled that his father was one of the cabinet members of Jakande during his tenure as Governor.

He explained that Jakande demonstrated, “the essence of leadership..he lived what he believed and what he preached.”

Hamzat advised today’s leaders should emulate Jakande who stood for the masses.