LAGOS PRINTING CORPORATION NAMES PRESS HALL AFTER LATE GOVERNOR JAKANDE
The Lagos State Printing Corporation (LSPC) has named its Press Hall after the first Executive Governor of the State, Late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande.
Speaking at the unveiling of the commemorative structure, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, said the gesture was a good way to celebrate Baba Jakande for the good life he lived, the good legacies he left behind and for every service he rendered to Lagos, Nigeria and humanity in general.
The Commissioner said that naming the hall after Baba Jakande is symbolic as it tells the kind of life he lived, declaring that “The symbolism in this hall being named after Baba Jakande is that whatever we do in life will be recorded for us and will be measured and be considered years later. All of the things Baba Jakande did is what some of us are enjoying today. He had a vision and the vision was actualised”.
Omotoso praised Baba Jakande for the feat attained in education, housing, human capacity development and journalism, adding that Alhaji Jakande played a huge role in the establishment of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Radio Lagos and Lagos Television.
“He set standards in the Journalism space and his contribution to the media industry is highly commendable. Naming this Hall after him is highly commendable and everyone should be proud of it”, the Commissioner said.
While imploring journalists in the State and Country to continue to celebrate Baba Jakande, he urged the youths to support the State government and indulge in everything that will make Nigeria and Lagos State a better place.
His words: “I believe the former Governor has not been celebrated well enough, especially by journalists in Nigeria. But there is a need for us to continue to celebrate his legacy. The younger generation should think about tomorrow and realise that what they are doing at present is a way of writing their own testimonials, their own history and what people will say about them when they are old and are gone like Baba”.
“They should concentrate and take advantage of the current administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s programmes and policies geared towards empowering people to become whatever they want to become, realise their dreams and have the same opportunity like their counterparts globally”, the Commissioner asserted.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Olusina Thorpe, thanked the wife of Baba Jakande, Mrs. Abimbola Jakande, for making it possible for Baba to achieve great success in the State.
“We appreciate you Mama because your presence and silent contribution in Baba’s life made his achievements possible. Baba Jakande was able to open up all parts of Lagos State and that is what we are all enjoying today. He was a foundation builder, he touched everywhere and all his years of rule in the State were fantastic with great achievement”, Thorpe said.
He also thanked LSPC General Manager for keeping Baba Jakande alive with the honour, just as he urged all the staff of the Corporation to continuously ensure selfless service to duty by giving their best to ensure that the Corporation can compete favourably with every printing press in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
In his remarks, the General Manager, Lagos State Printing Corporation, Mr. Kolawole Peregrino, said the event was to reverence and celebrate Baba Jakande, not only for his selfless service to Lagos State, but also for his contribution and commitment in reactivating and reinvigorating the LSPC for effective and optimal performance.
He said, “His preoccupation then was to totally change Lagos State environment. His legacy has survived many political administrations. Today, LSPC is making history. My vision on assumption of office was to promote all-around excellence in productivity, efficient service delivery and enhanced market visibility. I have been able to break through the cluster and achieved many heights. But, naming this Hall after Baba Jakande is my own way to crown all my commitments to re-position the Press Hall”.
Peregrino thanked the Lagos State Government, Ministries, Departments and Agencies for their dedicated patronage of LSPC, promising that the Corporation will continue to maintain its uniqueness in the print industry by rendering the best in quality printing and quality services.
Speaking on behalf of the Jakande family, one of Baba Jakande’s children, Mr. Deji Jakande, thanked the Lagos State Government and the LSPC for honouring his father. He assured everyone that the family will continue to keep its good name alive.
“I appreciate the fact that people still recognise my father’s impact in Lagos State and I say a big thank you to you all. We, the family, will continue to do our best to keep the name good, now and always”, he said.
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CAPTION:
PIX: (L-R) General Manager, Lagos State Printing Corporation, Mr. Kolawole Peregrino; Chairman House Committee on Information, Security and Strategy, Mr. David Setonji; Alhaja Abimbola Jakande and the Hon. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso at the naming of the Lagos State Printing Corporation’s Press Hall after Late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, the first Executive Governor of Lagos State.
