The historical town of Iwo in Osun State played host to a heavy presence of dignitaries, who attended the 50th birthday of Alhaji Semiu Okanlawon, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

The event took place on Sunday, 22 October 2017, at the King’s Riverside Resorts and Hotel, Odo-Oba, Iwo/Ibadan road, Iwo Town. It also featured the public presentation of Letters From the Streets: The Editorial Experience of The Guardian Years written by the celebrant.

The governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola led dignitaries from the political class and the creme de la creme of the Nigerian media to the colourful event. In attendance were:Hon Ayo Omidiran, member House of Representatives, Senator Hassan Hussein and members of Osun State Executive Council, the Aare Ona Kakanfo designate, Otunba Gani Adams, Lagos State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, who also stood in for Governor Ambode of Lagos State, former Editor of The Guardian Newspaper, Mr. Debo Adesina, a former Deputy Chief of Staff to ex- Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Mojeed Jamiu, Habib Haruna, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Lagos State, Otunba Femi Davies, Yomi Flash-Lasso and many others.