Babatunji Wusu –
Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the head of service for Lagos State, has left the governor Bababjide Sanwoolu’s cabinet to take on a new position in the executive branch.
Following the delivery of his letter of resignation to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Monday, Muri-Okunola announced his intention to accept the position of Principal Secretary to President Bola Tinubu in a statement.
“My dear Lagos State Public Service colleagues,” he remarked. I have mixed feelings about telling you that my career in the federal service will end on September 29.
“After serving as your Head Of Service for almost five years, I voluntarily retired from the Lagos State Civil Service and informed Mr. Governor of my decision.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to service to MG and MDG, the entire executive council, the Body of Permanent Secretaries, and the entire workforce of Lagos State.
“I will appreciate this voyage and experience for the rest of my life. It has been incredibly fulfilling. I want to express my gratitude to the whole public service for its support over my entire term as your servant leader.
“You glistened me. You aided me in dispelling the skeptics’ doubts. You gave me courage and motivated my humble yet effective service. I value everyone of you, both as individuals and as a unit. We made the Lagos State Public Service the most professional workforce in sub-Saharan Africa and the most vibrant and excellent public service in Nigeria specifically.
“I continue to work for the man who motivated and drew me into the public service, and I use it as a profession that eventually led me to the pinnacle as your Head Of Service.
To help our President and Commander in Chief, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, achieve The Renewed Hope agenda, I will be assuming a new role in the Presidency.
“I am privileged and humbled to be taking on this new assignment, and I pray that The Almighty Allah would help me carry out this serious responsibility to our country.
“I rely on your ongoing help, assistance, and prayers. Finally, I want to congratulate the person who is chosen to succeed me as the 22nd Head of Service of the Lagos State Government and ask you to support that person in every way possible so that they can develop and raise the bar for our storied public service.
There were numerous rumors that Muri-Okunola, who served as Tinubu’s personal assistant while he served as governor of Lagos State, would succeed Sanwo-Olu in the general election runoff for 2023.
