Retired Head of Service of Ogun State, Kehinde Olufemi Onasanya, has been honoured with a Public Service Excellence Award by the Central Association of Ogun State Indigenes in the United Kingdom in recognition of his outstanding contributions to public administration and governance in Ogun State.
The award was presented during a special ceremony held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the Woolwich Common Community Centre in London, bringing together members of the Ogun diaspora, community leaders, professionals and distinguished guests from across the United Kingdom.
The recognition celebrated Onasanya’s decades of service in the Ogun State civil service, culminating in his tenure as Head of Service, where he played a key role in strengthening administrative processes, promoting professionalism and advancing public sector reforms within the state.
Organisers of the event described the award as a tribute to Onasanya’s dedication to public service, institutional development and his contributions to the growth of Ogun State’s civil service.
They noted that his career reflects the values of integrity, accountability and excellence that continue to inspire both serving and retired public officers.
The event formed part of broader efforts by the association to celebrate notable Ogun indigenes who have distinguished themselves in leadership, governance, business, academia and community development.
Beyond the award presentation, the former Head of Service delivered a keynote paper titled “Institutional Memory of Public Service in Ogun State @ 50,” where he reflected on the evolution of the state’s civil service since its creation in 1976.
In the presentation, Onasanya highlighted the importance of preserving institutional knowledge, administrative traditions and governance experiences that have shaped Ogun State’s public service over the last five decades.
He stressed that institutional memory remains a critical asset for effective governance, policy continuity and sustainable development, particularly in an era of rapid administrative and technological changes.
The former Head of Service emphasized the need for governments and public institutions to document experiences, retain historical records and strengthen mentorship systems to ensure valuable knowledge is passed from one generation of public servants to another.
According to him, strong institutions are built not only on policies and structures but also on the ability to preserve lessons learned from previous administrations and public service leaders.
He noted that maintaining institutional memory helps governments avoid repeating past mistakes while providing a foundation for innovation and improved service delivery.
Members of the Central Association of Ogun State Indigenes in the United Kingdom reaffirmed their commitment to supporting initiatives that promote excellence, preserve the state’s history and strengthen connections between Ogun indigenes at home and abroad.
They described the recognition of Onasanya as a celebration of public service values and an opportunity to showcase the achievements of Ogun professionals on the global stage.
Stakeholders at the event also highlighted the growing role of diaspora communities in contributing to governance discussions, knowledge exchange and development initiatives across Ogun State and Nigeria.
Observers noted that the honour reflects increasing appreciation for public servants whose contributions often shape governance behind the scenes but leave lasting impacts on institutions and society.
For many attendees, the recognition of Kehinde Olufemi Onasanya served not only as a celebration of an accomplished career but also as a reminder of the importance of preserving institutional knowledge as Ogun State continues its development journey beyond its golden jubilee.
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