Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described the retiring 20th Head of Service of the Ogun State Civil/Public Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, as a dependable, reliable, consistent, and exceptional public servant whose impact on governance and institutional reforms would remain a reference point for generations.
Governor Abiodun stated this during the unveiling of “When God Favours,” the autobiography of Mr. Onasanya, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, as part of activities marking the retirement of the outgoing Head of Service.
The governor said the book goes beyond a personal memoir, describing it as a compelling story of grace, resilience, discipline, and unwavering dedication to public service.
According to him, the autobiography captures the remarkable journey of a man whose rise through the civil service structure reflects the possibilities that emerge when diligence aligns with divine favour.
“When God Favours is more than an autobiography. It is a profound chronicle of grace meeting grit, of destiny shaped by discipline, and of a man whose life reflects the boundless possibilities that emerge when dedication aligns with divine orchestration,” Abiodun said.
The governor traced Onasanya’s career trajectory from his appointment as an Information Officer on Grade Level 08 in 1992 to his eventual emergence as the 20th Head of Service in 2024, describing the journey as evidence that greatness is built on consistency, integrity, vision, and faith.
“The story of Mr. Onasanya speaks eloquently to the power of consistency and character. His rise through the ranks reminds us that greatness is never accidental but the product of discipline, resilience, and commitment,” he added.
Abiodun said he had the privilege of working closely with the retiring Head of Service and noted that his tenure aligned seamlessly with the administration’s agenda for public sector transformation and workers’ development.
According to the governor, Onasanya played a major role in strengthening productivity and professionalism across the civil service through strategic capacity-building programmes and reforms aimed at improving institutional performance.
He further commended the outgoing Head of Service for prioritising workers’ welfare and maintaining stable industrial relations through constructive engagement with labour leaders.
“His commitment to workers’ welfare and his ability to sustain harmony with labour leaders ensured enduring peace, discipline, and stability within the Ogun State Public Service,” the governor stated.
Abiodun also highlighted Onasanya’s previous service as Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Political Affairs and Administration in the Office of the Governor, where he reportedly distinguished himself through the coordination of major state assignments and ceremonial programmes.
According to him, the retiring Head of Service demonstrated exceptional organisational competence in the planning and execution of Independence Day celebrations, June 12 commemorations, and annual Carol Services in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
The governor said Onasanya’s tenure as Head of Service witnessed a major transformation in service delivery across ministries, departments, and agencies through the introduction and publication of service charters aimed at improving accountability and efficiency.
He added that the outgoing Head of Service also created platforms for intellectual engagement, institutional memory, and continuous professional development within the public service.
“His leadership style encouraged innovation, collaboration, and continuous professional development, thereby repositioning the Ogun State Civil Service as a model of excellence,” Abiodun noted.
The governor further pointed to the modernisation of the Public Service Rules and Financial Regulations under Onasanya’s leadership, describing the initiative as a landmark reform that aligned the state’s public service operations with global best practices.
“Under his watch, we witnessed the modernization of the Public Service Rules and Financial Regulations. This reform has left our civil service more efficient, transparent, and future-ready,” he said.
Abiodun maintained that Onasanya’s retirement marked the conclusion of a legacy-driven tenure defined by institutional transformation, professionalism, and measurable impact.
“Your tenure is proof that when a public servant chooses excellence over expediency, the entire state advances,” the governor added.
Former Ogun State Governor and Special Guest of Honour, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, also paid tribute to the retiring Head of Service, describing him as a thoroughbred professional whose diligence and professionalism distinguished him throughout his career.
Osoba expressed satisfaction at witnessing Onasanya’s success and achievements during his lifetime.
Chairman of the occasion and former Permanent Secretary, Chief Oluneye Okuboyejo, described the autobiography as more than a retirement memoir, insisting that the book stands as evidence that divine favour can overturn limitations and redefine destinies.
According to him, the publication demonstrates how grace and perseverance can shape a life journey beyond conventional expectations.
In separate goodwill messages, Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, and Chairman of the Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in Ogun State, Engr. Adeniyi Abiola, described Onasanya as a public relations expert and accomplished administrator whose passion for workers’ welfare earned him widespread admiration within the civil service.
Responding emotionally, Mr. Onasanya expressed gratitude to God for sustaining him throughout his career despite various challenges and uncertainties.
The retiring Head of Service reflected on his personal and professional journey, admitting that he initially had no intention of building a career within the civil service but eventually rose to its highest administrative position through what he described as divine favour.
He dedicated the autobiography to the memory of his late mother, Mrs. Modupe Onasanya, whom he credited as a major source of inspiration during difficult periods in his life.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Local Government Pensions, Engr. Olufisan Osiyale, described the event as a celebration of purposeful leadership and impactful service.
He noted that Onasanya’s humility, charisma, and leadership style endeared him to many across the state civil service, adding that the book launch was both symbolic and timely.
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