Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, the first civilian governor of Lagos State, passed away on Thursday and statesmen, politicians, monarchs, top government officials and other eminent Nigerians have paid tributes to the man.

According to The Nation, the veteran journalist and politician died in his house during breakfast. He was 91.

Jakande was elected Governor in 1979 on the platform of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) led by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

He was re-elected in 1983 general elections. He also served as Minister of Works and Housing under the Abacha regime.

His son, Deji, a former House of Representatives member, said he showed no sign of illness in the last 24 hours.

In fact, Jakande, fondly called Baba Kekere by admirers, revalidated his membership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday.

Deji said: “We thank God for his life. He was not sick. He took his pap and crayfish yesterday. He was stil reading his newspapers without glasses.

“We had stopped visitors from going to him because of Covid-19 because he likes shaking people. Today (yesterday), he was about to take his breakfast. Suddenly, he couldn’t breathe again. We called the doctor to come and examine him. That was between 10.30 am and 11.am.

“Many people have been calling. The Governor, the deputy governor, the party chairman had called.

“He will be buried tomorrow after Jumat Service before 4pm at the Vaults and Gardens, Ikoyi.”