When men of the same age are put together for assessment, various factors come to mind about their personal achievements, their heights of education and the legacies they have built over the years.
Of course in Nigeria of today where the value system is being treated with disdain, many will easily assess achievement by how much a man has got in the bank even when the source of the riches is questionable.
But for Mr. Kayode Jackson, who marks his 60th birthday anniversary tomorrow, one quickly remembers his value of generosity and compassion as the additional factors that separate him from other men.
Jackson’s diamond age reflects his organic legacies of humanity that only a few men can build and leave for others to learn.
Perhaps because of his upbringing, which of course is deep rooted in Christianity, “the Omoluabi” etos and the typical Yoruba culture of the “Omo Eko” pataki, Jackson’s view of the world is simple yet sophisticated.
Our path crossed about 20 years ago when he was the Pubic Relations Officer at the office of the Head of Service, Lagos State Government. He was working with one Alhaji Moshood Adebisi, another professional who later moved to the state Land Bureau.
Jackson’s relevance in the media game became visible at the HOS office where he would later rise to become the Head of the media unit of the state Universal Basic Education.
At SUBEB Jackson’s ideas blossomed, he became friend to almost all the education correspondents and would never hide any information from reporters. Unlike his counterparts in some agencies, journalism refused to leave Jackson
He would call to give scoops. He would relate with reporters without jeopardising his professionalism. Though a public relations officer, journalism never left Jackson. He wanted every reporter to add value to every of his press statements.
Like a typical journalist, Jackson is restless and it showed in his leaving the civil service earlier to seek greener pastor abroad. He relocated to the United States but has his mind fixed to the happenings in Nigeria, most especially the politics of Lagos.
As a matter of fact, the ambition of the former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode lured Jackson back to Nigeria where he worked tirelessly for the election of the former governor.
He played his role by joining other supporters to organise journalists and bankroll media campaigns for Akinwunmi Ambode’s governorship race at the time.
However, the complex politics of Lagos kept him away from the administration despite his earlier efforts. Jackson did not relent, he kept on supporting good governance, using his skills and goodwill to promote successive administrations.
Hear him, “Governor Ambode is a good person anyway and I still respect him. I have no ill feelings. Of course I worked for him silently from the black-end.
I did not have option than to support him and give the little I had then for his election, but then politics of Lagos is so sophisticated that not everybody can become a commissioner or head of agency.
“What matters most is that we gave our supports and were counted among those who provided good governance, Ambode made a great mark in the governance of Lagos,” Jackson posited.
A Lagos socialite and member of various clubs, Jackson is not aggressive but he is a frank talker; he is sociable, smart with a bit of polished aggression when driving his conviction.
As he put it in one of our interactions, “I am a realistic believer of God, the creator. I know that everything comes from God the Alpha and Omega. As a Christian of the Anglican extraction. I have my roots in Salako family of Lagos. My grandmother, an Alhaja, was a staunch Muslim. She actually trained me from childhood, especially during long holidays where me and my other siblings spend our time.”
Living with Grandma made Jackson attend “Quranic School”, Ile kewu where he learnt little about Islamic doctrine even though his father was a Christian. His embrace of all religious is still very visible in his character.
“Alhaja passed at 96. Till date I still participate in Muslims celebrations most especially the Ileya festival,” he said. My dad’s sister Mrs Modupe Fowosere, is a fantastic mamaput, with a food shop in Apongbon, the entire Idumota where we holiday waiting for the eba ko lo be sellers , myself with my cousins Lookman fowosere ,Late Mrs IbiRonke Odofin nee Jackson”
Born to the Horatio Jackson of Lagos. His father, Joseph Olufunmilayo Jackson and mother, Princess Modupe Iyabode Nee Fadina of blessed memories, Kayode Jackson barely knew his father.
“My father, I barely knew. I was raised by my mother and my dad’s sister. We lived in Surulere, my paternal grandfather was the great Fitter of the Nigerian Railways, and my maternal grandfather was the late Olota of Ota, Oba Timothy Oloyede Fadina.
“I started my primary education at the Salvation Army primary school on Iyun Road Surulere. My secondary education was at Aiyedere Ajibola College, Ketu Lagos where I was the senior prefect of the 84 set, I did HSC at the Igbobi College between 1984 and 1986,” he said.
No doubt, the middle class of Surulere life reflects in Jackson. He is always clean with colourful tones of fashions.
Jackson studied Mass Communication at the University of Lagos and crowned it with diploma at the Nigeria Institute of journalism, Ogba to become a thoroughbred professional.
He obtained his second degree in public relations and Advertising at Lagos State University Ojo. He is the current President of the Pioneer set of LASU school of communications.
Speaking about his life and service at the Lagos civil service, Jackson described it as an experience he would not forget in a hurry, having met some of his good friends who shared the same principles with him.
His words, “I had a stint at the Lagos LSDPC as information, Media Executive, Lagos state ministry of information and strategy , SUBEB, HOS office and a few other agencies.
However I started Goldwaters Associates, a media concern, to test my entrepreneurial acumen and now I rotate between the states and Nigeria doing business and helping people with the little I have.
To Jackson, the life is built in plurality; days of joy and days of sadness but then, the courage a man brings into it is what matters most.
” My happiest day was the day I gave my first daughter out in a joyous ceremony to her heartthrob .It was a mixed-feeling. But I thank God for the joyous moment, when I danced to the music of Niel Oliver. I had told myself that the day I would give her out, I was going to dance father and daughter to the music of Niel Oliver. It was a dream come true.
For a lover of good music, there is no doubt that Jackson romantic life would have attracted him to his heartthrob, another woman of virtue Adebanke Oluwayoyin Jackson (Nee Durojaiye) and their marriage is blessed with four children and grandchildren.
For those who are close to Jackson , they will know that he eats very well and he is also a lover of coffee. His office smells of coffee.
“I love good food, particularly seafood, crabs and fresh fish especially, he said.
However, Jackson’s saddest day was when he lost his mother at the age of 51 in 1994 despite that his father had died earlier during his childhood. “It wasn’t easy but all I can say is thanking God for everything,” he said.
His view about Lagos politics can be so loving and to him, Lagos politics is an interesting one. The APC draws attraction from the influence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“APC is doing great, and the administration of Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State Governor is fantastic because of the PBAT template, from BRF, AA to BOS . Lagos is moving. APC is the ruling party in Lagos state and the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu is doing well. Lagos state is complex with some peculiarities. It should draw special attention from the Federal government particularly in allocation of resources. PBAT is the joker from BRF to AAA to BOS, Lagos is moving and peaceful due to her leadership structure. I pray for peace in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole” he said.
The Nigeria economy is improving. All i can appeal to Nigerians is to be patient and prayerful. The PBAT administration is on course. The economy is improving,” he stated.
Written By Kunle Awosiyan
A seasoned writer, journalist and public opinion moulder.
