Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande

Birth Date: July 23, 1929

Home Town: Epetedo

Location: Ilupeju, Lagos

Country: Nigeria

Alumni: Old Student

Category: POLITICS

Period: 1945 - 1949

Profession: Journalist

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Submitted By: abi

Jakande was born July 23, 1929. He started his education at Lagos Public School, Lagos between 1936-39, Banharn Memorial Methodist School, PortHarcourt, 1939-43. He attended Kings College, Lagos 1944 and Ilesa grammar School between 1945 and 1949.

LKJ  left Ilesa Grammar School in December 1949, and went straight to the Daily Service as a reporter.  He was happy to get a job as a reporter, because it was what he wanted. He rose gradually first as a sub-editor/Proof Reader and became associate editor between 1949-1950. Toward the middle of 1950 the editor had to go abroard.  All of the  other journalists were very junior, and he left without actually appointing an acting editor. Then the late Chief S. L. Akintola, who was a director of the company, was appointed editorial adviser. He and the editorial board later decided to make LKJ the acting editor in 1953. He later moved to Nigerian Tribune as an Editor in 1954 and was to be promoted Joint General Manager, Amalgamated Press Nigeria Ltd, 1956.

He was to become the Editor-in-Chief, Amalgamated Press, 1956-69, Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, African Newspapers of Nigeria Ltd between 1968-79. It was from there he resigned to become governor of Lagos State between 1979 and 1983. Lateef Kayode Jakande was the first civilian executive governor of Lagos State. Jakande, who has almost every major landmark achievement in Lagos State to his credit with unrivalled records is perhaps the most accomplished governor in the state. 

LKJ has also held several positions such including, Chairman/Managing Director, John West Publications Limited and John West Newspapers Limited, Chairman, John West Farms Limited and John West Properties Limited. He was appointed Minister for Works and Housing, 1993-95.

His traditional titles include, Gbobaniyi of Ibeshe, Baba Adinni of Epe and Baba Adinni of Badagry. He has also published several books some of which include, The Case For Lagos State; The trial of Obafemi Awolowo; The Problems and Prospects of Free Education, The Role of the Mass Media in a Developing Country among others.