ILAMOYE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 1985 SET PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATEEF JAKANDE’S ENDURING IMPACT

As part of their ongoing 40th anniversary celebrations, members of the Ilamoye Grammar School Alumni Association, Pioneer 1985 Set, paid an emotional and symbolic visit to the residence of the late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, the visionary behind Lagos State’s free education era. The visit, led by the National President of the alumni body, Aileru Abiodun Ganiu, was a heartfelt tribute to the man many credit with shaping their lives and opening doors that once seemed distant.

Speaking during the visit, Aileru reflected on how Jakande’s free education program transformed the destinies of thousands of Lagos students, particularly those from modest backgrounds. He noted that many members of the 1985 Set owe their careers to that opportunity, from military officers and political leaders to traditional rulers, administrators and professionals in various fields. He stated that these success stories might never have happened if not for the access Jakande gave them. He said that his policies did not just educate a generation but positioned them for global relevance.

The alumni group shared personal memories of their formative years under Lagos State’s free education system; years marked by simplicity, discipline and a shared sense of possibility. Aileru urged today’s leaders to revisit the principles of that model, calling it a blueprint for social transformation. According to him, investing in accessible, quality education remains the most sustainable way to empower young people and secure the nation’s future.

The Jakande family warmly welcomed the delegation, expressing gratitude for the visit and sharing intimate reflections about the late elder statesman, fondly remembered for his humility, devotion to service and fierce commitment to educational equity. For the alumni, hearing these memories felt like reconnecting with the root of a legacy that shaped not just their schooling, but their worldview.

The visit forms a key highlight of the 1985 Set’s anniversary calendar, reinforcing the spirit of gratitude, community and continuity that has defined their celebrations. Forty years on, the alumni stand as living proof of the transformational power of purposeful leadership and a reminder that education, when made accessible to all, can rewrite the future.