On Hakeem Muri-Okunola’s 50th birthday

If there is someone currently experiencing the seventh heaven, it surely is Hakeem Muri-Okunola known as HMO. HMO, the current Head of Service, Lagos state, is experiencing such a height of excitement and happiness. Celebrating his 50th birthday, at a time when most of his peers have been visited by the dreaded grim reaper and taken on a sojourn of no return, is a clear indication that he is one of the few blessed by his creator.

For the Lagos State University graduate of Law, his sojourn in life is a vivid example of grace, hence, his reasons for flourishing well in life. Despite being raised by his dad, late Justice Muri Okunola, through dedication, resilience, and hard work, he rose through the ranks to become a celebrated individual in the civil service commission becoming the youngest Head of Service in the history of Lagos State.

Starting off his career as a civil servant in 2001, he served as a Personal Assistant to the then Governor of Lagos, Bola Tinubu before being appointed as an Executive secretary to the Governor on the Land use and allocation committee. He was later promoted to the permanent secretary Land Bureau at the office of the Governor where he introduced some lofty and innovative ideas that stood him out from his contemporaries. Under his watch, he launched an Electronic Certificate of Occupancy and 30 days Governors Consent processing applications which was later adopted by several government parastatals in the country. Ever since his appointment as HOS, with his detribalized nature and repertoire of knowledge in Law and civil service, he restructured the Lagos civil service to become a model for all states giving promotions and appointments to only deserving people by merit.

For his 50th birthday, many had expected someone of his caliber and nature to roll out drums and paint the city of Lagos red but to the chagrin of his friends and associates, he sought for a low-key and close-knit event because he cherishes his privacy. For his birthday, sources disclosed that HMO will invite clergymen to offer prayers for the gift of life, reach out to the needy through his usual philanthropic model and according to his Islam teachings. Sources also hinted that friends and family, who were planning to surprise HMO with a lavish birthday soiree, were shocked when he stressed that he prefers to reach out to the needy rather than celebrate with a shindig.

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