Gov Abiodun lauds outgoing Ogun HoS

He noted that Onasanya, who will bow out of service on May 21 after 34 years of meritorious service to the state, was appointed the 20th Head of Service based on merit.

The governor, in his address as the Special Guest of Honour at the unveiling of Onasanya’s autobiography titled “When God Favours”, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, on Wednesday, commended the author for championing capacity building in the workforce.

Abiodun said his administration appreciated Mr Onasanya’s unblemished service record, noting that the unveiling of the book was not only historic but also symbolic.

The governor described the book as more than a personal memoir, noting that it is a compelling account of how grace, discipline, hard work, and dedication can shape destiny and inspire public service.

According to him, Mr Onasanya’s life story remains a strong testimony to the enduring values of consistency, integrity, and commitment to duty.

He said Onasanya’s contributions to the Ogun State Civil Service would continue to resonate far beyond his years in office.

“From his early beginnings as an Information Officer on Grade Level 08 in 1992 to his elevation as the 20th Head of Service of Ogun State in 2024, his journey exemplifies integrity, courage, and uncommon devotion to public service.

“He reminds us that greatness is rarely accidental. It is cultivated through vision, hard work, sacrifice, preparation, and faith in Almighty God.

“I had the privilege of appointing Mr Onasanya as the 20th Head of Service of Ogun State on merit on the 8th day of April, 2024. Looking back, it remains one of the decisions I am most proud of as Governor,” he said.

Governor Abiodun noted that Mr Onasanya’s tenure has been marked by strategic reforms and unwavering dedication to the vision of building a productive and responsive public service.

He recalled the Head of Service’s intervention in refurbishing grounded government vehicles and revitalising the Ogun State Mechanical Workshop, an initiative he said significantly improved operational efficiency within government logistics.

The governor added that Mr Onasanya also aligned seamlessly with his administration’s workers’ development agenda through the promotion of capacity-building programmes aimed at enhancing productivity, professionalism, and institutional efficiency across the civil service.

“His commitment to workers’ welfare, coupled with his ability to foster constructive engagement with labour leaders, ensured enduring peace, discipline, and stability within the Ogun State Public Service,” he added.

Governor Abiodun further stated that under Mr Onasanya’s leadership, the state deepened the success of the public sector health insurance scheme, thereby expanding access to quality healthcare for workers.

He added that the administration also implemented the elongation of primary school teachers’ career progression under the supervision of the Head of Service, describing it as part of efforts to strengthen the education sector.

The governor disclosed that his administration was also able to strengthen pension administration through the payment of billions of naira in gratuities and pensions, helping to clear longstanding backlogs.

He equally acknowledged Mr Onasanya’s contributions to innovative frameworks such as the Contributory Pension Scheme and the Additional Pension Benefits initiative.

Governor Abiodun also highlighted the redesignation of Information Officers as Information and Public Relations Officers, noting that the initiative broadened the professional scope of the cadre and strengthened strategic government communication.

“As an administration, we appreciate that Mr Kehinde Onasanya is leaving behind a civil service that is more disciplined, innovative, professional, and forward-looking.

“His legacy will continue to inspire not only public servants but everyone who aspires to serve society with integrity, excellence, and honour,” the governor stated.

Addressing the Head of Service directly, Governor Abiodun praised his loyalty, wisdom, and professionalism in managing the state bureaucracy.

“For years, you stood in the engine room of Ogun State bureaucracy with quiet strength, uncommon wisdom, unwavering loyalty, and an unblemished record of service.

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“You managed transitions with maturity, upheld due process with courage, and ensured government remained responsive to the needs of the people even during difficult periods.

“You are a quintessential administrator whose intellectual depth and exceptional understanding of public service dynamics have earned you widespread respect,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the occasion, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, described “When God Favours” as a powerful testament to divine grace and merit-based leadership within the civil service.

He noted that Mr Onasanya’s appointment as Permanent Secretary in 2020 by Governor Abiodun signalled the beginning of a new era of merit-based appointments in the Ogun State Civil Service.

“This memoir is not just another grace story; it offers practical lessons and inspiration for civil and public servants striving to rise above limitations and challenges,” he said.

The Lagos State Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro, commended Mr Onasanya’s leadership acumen and passion for civil service development, describing him as an empathetic and committed administrator.

A former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, described the Head of Service as a thorough professional and passionate administrator who consistently fought for the growth of his profession.

Chief Osoba also commended Governor Abiodun for appointing the first Information Officer to rise to the position of Head of Service in Ogun State, noting that the decision further elevated the status of professionals within the civil service.

“It gives me great joy because I was the one who broke the old tradition that only Administrative Officers could become Head of Service.

“That decision laid the foundation for the Governor to appoint Mr Kehinde Onasanya as Head of Service today,” he said.

The book reviewer, Professor Sola Adeyanju, Director of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance Studies, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, described the author as the most talented, diligent, and progressive Head of Service he had ever come across.

He said the book was well structured with pictures and simple language that readers could easily understand.

“The book is an autobiography. He documents his journey from birth, through his career, socio-cultural life, family. The book is well laid out. The words in the book are very simple for readers to comprehend. It is a detailed chronology from birth to growing up, career, family lines.

“The assemblage of pictures makes the book interesting to read. Mr Onasanya is a journalist of repute. His disposition to work and meeting deadlines distinguished him. He balanced professionalism with activism. He reviewed the sensitivity of the author to his professional colleagues who lost their lives in the course of discharging their duties.

“This book serves as a reference point in the annals of Ogun Civil Service. I commend the dexterity of the author in keeping records. He is a diligent, reliable, hardworking, patriotic, humble, and illustrious Head of Service of Ogun State.”