“Celebrate true friends. They are a part of you that always sparkles.”  – Actress Amy Leigh Mercree.

The English-born Mercree may have had the consummate politician and lawmaker, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, better known to his constituents as OKLA, in mind when she made this beautiful quote.

This played out on Friday, March 28, when friends, family and colleagues gathered to offer prayers for a man famously described as a gentle giant when he clocked 60.

For his friends and constituents, OKLA is an embodiment of numerous virtues. These include diligence, excellence, integrity and many more.

Though not one to deliberately covet public attention, family and friends insisted however that 60 years on earth is indeed worth celebrating. They, therefore, decided to roll out the drums to celebrate a jolly good and trusted fellow whose pastime is to share love and make those around him happy.

Without any iota of doubt, OKLA is a shining light to the nation’s democracy, making sure that the wellbeing of his constituents is the number one on his list of priorities.

By every standard a man of substance, Okanlawon earned his place at the top through hard work, perseverance and focus. This is the message he has consistently preached to the youths of Kosofe constituency 1 since he became their representative in the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2019.

Okanlawon had his first degree from the University of Calabar and a master’s in Business Administration from Lagos State University. As the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Food Security, he was one of the brains behind the now very popular “LAKE RICE”, a joint venture between Lagos State and Kebbi State governments.

Although the lanky and stockily-built Lagos-born politician is not given to frivolities or wanton revelry, families, friends, close associates, staffers, as well as admirers, have continued to pour encomiums on him for his impact in the lives of many of them.

Today, his family, friends and colleagues will convene at Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos, to celebrate him.

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