Lagos shuts markets in honour of Lateef Jakande

 

Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, iyaloja-general of Lagos, has ordered closure of markets in Lagos in honour of Lateef Jakande, first civilian governor of the state.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, announced Jakande’s death on February 11. He died at the age of 91.

On Thursday, the iyaloja-general said shutting the markets is a sign of respect and honour to the deceased.

She asked market leaders to comply with the directive.

“We are shutting down all markets tomorrow as a way of mourning our late father. We all know he was the former Governor of Lagos who dedicated his time to develop the state and dedicating a day in his honour is a good thing. I enjoin all market leaders and traders to comply with this directive,” she said.

Jakande was governor of Lagos from 1979 to 1983. He was later appointed minister of works by Sani Abacha in 1993.

His polices centred on low-income groups and the middle class. He taxed the rich to take care of the poor. He built 30,000 housing units in estates across Lagos and provided free primary and secondary education.

He founded the Lagos State University and started the metroline project to ease the transportation burden in the state.