By Ezra Odogu
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated the State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, on his 50 years birthday.
Muri-Okunola, a lawyer by profession and former Executive Secretary to the Governor on Land Use and Allocation Committee and Permanent Secretary in the Lagos Public Service, will clock 50 on Friday, January 7.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Thursday, described Muri-Okunola as a committed, hardworking and passionate public servant.
The Governor said the Head of Service, as a seasoned administrator, technocrat and good manager of human and resources, has used his knowledge and experience to contribute to the growth and development of Lagos State Public Service in line with his administration’s THEMES developmental agenda for Greater Lagos.
He said: “On behalf of my dear wife, Ibijoke, and the good people of Lagos State, I heartily congratulate the Head of Service of Lagos State, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, on the occasion of his 50th birthday celebration.
“Over the years, you have emblazoned your name on the state and national stage as one of the youngest Heads of Service in the country and that of the most viable State Public Service in Nigeria and a loud voice of professional civil service.
“You have played critical roles in the growth and transformation of Lagos State Civil Service, thereby setting examples for other States’ civil service to emulate.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu also noted that Muri-Okunola, during his tenure as Executive Secretary to the Governor on Land Use and Allocation Committee and Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Public Service from 2005 to 2018, displayed a high degree of honesty, dedication and professionalism to service.
He noted that Muri-Okunola as the Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau in the Governor’s Office where he supervised the State’s Lands Administration machinery, displayed significant roles in improving Lagos State’s ranking in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index, especially in the area of Electronic Certificate of Occupancy (E-C of O), the Electronic Data Management System (EDMS) and the 30-day processing of consent applications.
“As you mark your Golden Jubilee, I pray that God will continue to preserve and grant you good health to enable you to render more service to humanity, Nigeria and our beloved State, Lagos,” Governor Sanwo-Olu prayed.