Wabeed Ogunjobi
It was a midweek celebration of service, grace, and legacy at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, as dignitaries from across Ogun and beyond gathered for the public unveiling of “When God Favours”, the autobiography of the 20th Head of Service of Ogun State, Mr. Kehinde Olufemi Onasanya.
The main auditorium of the June 12 Cultural Centre was filled to capacity as current and former public servants, traditional rulers, political leaders, and well-wishers converged to honour a career defined by dedication to the Ogun State Civil Service.
Leading the distinguished guests was the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, whose presence underscored the administration’s recognition of excellence in public service,former Governor of Ogun State Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun.
Also in attendance were members of the State Executive Council, past and present Heads of Service, and Permanent Secretaries who came to celebrate one of their own.
Adding a touch of inter-state solidarity, the body of Permanent Secretaries from Lagos State attended in full force, led by the Head of Service of Lagos State, Mr. Bode Agoro. Their presence highlighted the long-standing professional ties and mutual respect between the civil services of the two states.
Traditional rulers also graced the occasion, including the Alake of Egbaland Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Gbegande of Ososa, Oba Toye Alatishe, among other royal fathers who lent their blessings to the event.
The autobiography, “When God Favours”chronicles Mr. Onasanya’s journey through the ranks of the civil service, offering insights into leadership, resilience, and the role of faith in public life.
Colleagues described the book as both a personal testimony and a practical guide for upcoming public servants.
In his remarks, Governor Abiodun commended, Mr. Onasanya for his integrity and contributions to the Ogun State Civil Service, noting that the unveiling was a fitting tribute to a career of impact.
Mr. Governor described the outgoing Head of Service of the state as a dependable, disciplined, and visionary administrator whose contributions significantly transformed the Ogun State Civil Service.
The governor noted that the occasion was more than the unveiling of a book, describing it as a celebration of a legacy built on purpose, dedication, and divine favour.
According to him, the book captures a story of grace meeting diligence and destiny shaped through discipline, stressing that the author’s life journey continues to inspire many within and outside the public service.
Governor Abiodun recalled that Mr. Onasanya rose through the ranks from an Information Officer on Grade Level 08 in 1992 to become the 20th Head of Service of Ogun State in 2024 through hard work, integrity, and commitment to public service.
He informed that since assuming office as Head of Service, Mr. Onasanya had demonstrated uncommon dedication to workers’ welfare, professionalism, productivity, and industrial harmony within the state public service.
The governor added that the outgoing Head of Service championed capacity-building initiatives, strengthened engagement with labour unions, and played a pivotal role in implementing reforms such as the Contributory Pension Scheme and Additional Pension Benefits Scheme.
Governor Abiodun also commended Mr Onasanya for his professionalism in coordinating major state functions during his tenure as Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Political Affairs and Administration in the Office of the Governor.
He further praised him for introducing service charters across ministries, departments, and agencies, reviving the Bureaucrats Magazine, and supporting reforms that repositioned Information Officers as Information and Public Relations Officers to improve strategic communication in government.
Governor Abiodun maintained that the outgoing Head of Service restored confidence in the public service through administrative competence, moral clarity, and unwavering loyalty to the state
Noting that Mr Onasanya’s leadership style encouraged innovation, discipline, and collaboration, the governor said his legacy would continue to inspire future generations of public servants.
The governor thereafter congratulated the author on the milestone and wished him sound health and greater accomplishments in his future endeavours.
In a welcome address the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Local Government Pensions, Mr. Olufisan Osiyale observed that the occasion was a celebration of a man’s life, purpose, and diligence, noting that the author had demonstrated uncommon wisdom and exemplary leadership in public service.
The Chairman of the occasion and Chairman of the Governor’s Elders Advisory Council, Chief Oluneye Okubadejo who literally reviewed the book while delivering the Chairman's address said the book was a living proof of divine favour describing the author’s story as divine providence, especially when recalling the circumstances surrounding his birth.
Former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba in a remark described Mr.Onasanya as a man who is passionate about his job, noting that the calibre of people who graced the event showed the respect and regard people have for him.
He praised him for being the first information officer to become the Head of Service, recalling how it was during his administration he broke the practice of people saying only the administrative officers can aspire to become either the Permanent Secretary or Head of Service when he appointed Surveyor Ogun, a real technocrat.
The Book reviewer who is the Director of the Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona School of Governance Studies, Professor Sola Adeyanju said the book is a compedium for those who cherish the virtue of hardwork, resilience and dedication to work describing the author as a dedicated and talented civil service and a.man of the people.
Responding the author Mr. Kehinde expressed gratitude to all dignitaries and guests present at the unveiling of his autobiography. He thanked Governor Dapo Abiodun ,members of the State Executive Council, Lagos State Head of Service Mr. Bode Agoro and the body of Lagos Permanent Secretaries, traditional rulers led by the Alake of Egbaland Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo , and fellow public servants for honouring him with their presence and support.
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