Society
Behind Hakeem Muri-Okunola’s New Job As Major Player In Presidency
the move throws him up as one of the powerful influences
Insiders have provided a shine on the new job of Hakeem Muri-Okunola the immediate past Lagos state Head of Service.
He has been appointed Principal Private Secretary to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
SocietyNow.Ng gathered the move throws him up as one of the powerful influences in the presidency.
“He will now officially share power with the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila and depending on how he plays his cards, become the overriding interest” according to insiders.
Added information revealed that President Tinubu opted to appoint his former Personal Assistant (when he was Governor of Lagos state) as Principal Private Secretary because of the need for a less ambitious loyalist to handle “certain tasks to the letter”.
Chief of Staff Gbajabiamila Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, is battling claims that pushed the appointment of Muri-Okunola according to talks here and there.
Muri- Okunola widely described as “habitually reserved” has stuck to assigned roles since he became a part of the favored sons of Asiwaju Tinuu.
The lawyer, public administrator, and technocrat was one of those labeled the original “Golden Sons” of Tinubu during his time as Governor of Lagos state from 1999 to 2007.
The Golden Sons were a formidable unit of four with far-reaching influence at the time and their positions were Folorunsho “Folly” Coker ( Personal Assistant later Deputy Chief of Staff ), Gbolahan Lawal (Aide-De-Camp), Ademola Elegushi (Special Assistant), and Hakeem Muri-Okunola (Personal Assistant). Coker was named the leader of the pack.
At Present, Ademola Elegushi and Gbolahan Lawal are kings in Lagos as Oba Elegushi and Oba Oniru respectively. Their statuses are lifetime appointments.
Folorunsho Coker served as the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) which transformed into the more encompassing game changer known Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) through his passionate groundwork.
The role of Coker – who was very visible during the campaigns – in the new Federal Government with his leader, Tinubu as President is yet to be announced.
The appointment of Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the son of late respected Justice Murtala Okunola, as a major player in the presidency continues the teleguiding of his career by President Tinubu.
Fondly addressed as “H” or “HMO”, Hakeem Muri Okunola is a keep-fit enthusiast who is a big fan of Soccer, Athletics, Polo, Boating, Squash, and Basketball.
At different times strongly touted as possible Governor of Lagos State without campaigning, the graduate of Law from the Lagos State University and holder of a master’s degree in International Business Law from the Queen Mary & Westfield College, University of London was at a time permanent Secretary Lagos State Lands Bureau.
