The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has announced that the 3rd edition of the Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture will be held on July 23, 2025, at the Edmark D’Podium International Event Centre in Ikeja, Lagos.
This year’s lecture, themed “Journalism and the Challenge of Nation-Building in a Multi-Ethnic Society,” will be delivered by the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, CON.
According to a statement jointly signed by NGE President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, the event will be chaired by the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, while Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will serve as Special Guest of Honour.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, is expected to be the Guest of Honour.
The annual lecture series was instituted in 2023 to honour the life and legacy of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, the first civilian Governor of Lagos State, a revered journalist, and the pioneer President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. A towering figure in Nigerian journalism, Jakande served as editor-in-chief of The Nigerian Tribune. He later became known for his transformative tenure as Lagos governor (1979–1983), revolutionising public education and housing. He was also Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha regime. Widely respected as “Baba Kekere,” Jakande left an enduring mark on governance and the media.
The inaugural lecture in 2023 was delivered by veteran journalist and NGE Fellow, Chief Felix Adenaike, while the 2024 edition featured a keynote by Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman of ThisDay/Arise TV, who spoke on the theme “Rapidly Changing Media Landscape: Survival Strategies.”
The Guild said the lecture series celebrates Jakande’s legacy and inspires critical conversations on the role of journalism in nation-building.
The 2025 edition promises to be another platform for engaging dialogue on media responsibility in a diverse and complex society.
