The Nigerian Union of Journalist, Ministry of Information Chapel, in conjunction with the Ogun State Ministry of Information and Strategy have organised a special congress in honour of the outgoing Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, and 3 other distinguished officers that include, the retired General Manager, Ogun State Television (OGTV) Mr. Tunde Kassim, Miss Mosunmola Feyisetan, Deputy Director, Public Enlightenment and Mr. Dennis Ogunsanwo who will be retiring soon.
The celebration took place during the Special May Congress at the Olusegun Osoba Press Centre, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communications, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, commended the organiser for putting together such an event, appreciating the retirees for their dedicated services and admirable character throughout their years in active service.
Hon. Akinmade noted that the outgoing Head of Service had built a bridge of development, noting that he contributed immensely to the present administration’s seamless growth with sincerity of purpose, while remaining a source of pride to the Ministry of Information, while he prayed for the retirees' peaceful and fulfilling period in retirement.
In her goodwill message, Coordinating Director, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mrs. Kemi Ewedairo-Yusuf, applauded Mr. Onasanya, saying he was known to be very dependable, reliable, indefatigable and active throughout his career.
Delivering a pep talk titled ‘From Information Officer to Head of Service, The Journey of Diligence, Hard Work and Grace’, Mr. Onasanya, appreciated everyone for the initiative, encouraged officers to always wear their identity cards, while he paid tribute to past Heads of Service for laying solid foundations of competence, accountability and hard work, upon which he also built his career, urging officers to cultivate the habit of writing feature articles as it would enhance their reputation and create opportunities for recommendations.
‘’Information is power, I urge you officers to focus more on professional development than monetary gains,’’ he advised.
Mr. Onasanya further advised officers to remain resourceful, describing them as the engine room of government, emphasised the need for civil servants to stay informed in order to broaden their horizons, adding that an effective feedback mechanism was necessary for the government not to run in circles.
He also stated that every civil servant must remain completely loyal to the government of the day while encouraging officers to be diligent, prayerful, and committed to making their work visible, he applauded Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun for supporting the change in nomenclature for Information Officers, advising officers not to be lazy in disseminating information but to remain confident, versatile, and professional.
He also hinted that capacity building workshops would always remain a tool that breeds development and knowledge among civil servants, a tool which the present administration physically the of the government, appreciated the present administration for being worker- friendly and bringing the health insurance scheme to the civil servants and retirees.
In his speech, Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists Chapel (NUJ), Mr. Femi Osipitan, appreciated the outgoing Head of Service for bringing honour and pride to the Information profession. He equally praised the other retirees and prayed that they would enjoy their retirement in good health, describing Onasanya as a man who broke barriers by rising from the Information cadre to the position of Head of Service through hard work, diligence and grace.
Reacting on behalf of other retirees, General Manager of Ogun State Television, Mr. Tunde Kassim, echoed words of appreciation to the members of staff and executive members of the Chapel for the honour bestowed on them, eulogising those who worked under him at the Ministry during his stay for their diligence and assuring that they would not take the gesture for granted.