The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has described the retiring 20th Head of Service of the Civil/Public Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, as a dependable, reliable, consistent, exceptional public servant, a master communicator, and reformer whose story will echo far beyond the present moment.
Governor Abiodun stated this at the unveiling of a book titled 'When God Favours', an autobiography of the Head of Service as part of activities commemorating the retirement of Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, from the Civil/Public Service, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
According to him, "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 and whose remarkable work is worth celebrating.
"The story of Mr. Onasanya is one that speaks eloquently to the power of consistency and character. From his humble beginning as an Information Officer, Grade Level 08 in 1992 to his elevation as the 20th Head of Service of Ogun State in 2024, his journey stands as a testament to integrity, resilience, and unwavering commitment to public service. It is a journey that reminds us that greatness is not accidental but it is the product of discipline, vision, and faith.
"I have had the rare privilege of working closely with Mr. Onasanya in his capacity as the Head of Service, and I can confidently say that his tenure as the Head of Service was marked by uncommon dedication and strategic alignment with our administration’s vision. He keyed seamlessly into our Administration's agenda for workers’ development, championing capacity-building programmes that enhanced productivity and professionalism across the Service. His commitment to workers’ welfare, coupled with his ability to foster harmony with labour leaders, ensured enduring peace, discipline, and stability within the Ogun State Public Service.
"Prior to his appointment as Head of Service, Mr. Onasanya served meritoriously as Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Political Affairs and Administration, in the Office of the Governor. In that role, he distinguished himself through his handling of high-profile state assignments, including the Independence Day Celebrations, June 12 Commemorations, and the annual Carol Service. Working collaboratively with the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, he ensured that these events were executed with precision and excellence", the Gov. said.
While lauding the Head of Service for his profound impact, as Service delivery across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies witnessed a remarkable transformation through the introduction and publication of Service Charters, Gov. Abiodun said Mr. Onasanya created a platform for intellectual engagement and institutional memory and added that his leadership style encouraged innovation, collaboration, and continuous professional development, thus, repositioning the Ogun State Civil Service as a model of excellence.
"Under his watch, we witnessed the modernization of the Public Service Rules and Financial Regulations, an initiative that aligned our systems with global best practices. This reform, building on the foundation laid by his predecessor, has left our civil service more efficient, transparent, and future-ready. Indeed, his tenure was one of legacy, impact, and enduring institutional transformation.
"Your tenure is a proof that when a public servant chooses excellence over expediency, the entire state advances. As you step into retirement, know that you are leaving behind a civil service more disciplined, more professional, and more respected because of your leadership. You have demonstrated that when diligence meets divine favour, the result is extraordinary impact. This book will undoubtedly inspire generations to come, serving as both a guide and a motivation for those who dare to dream and serve", Prince Abiodun said.
Adding his voice, a former governor of the State and the Special Guest of Honour, Aremo Olusegun Osoba lauded Mr. Onasanya for being a thorough bred professional whose professionalism and thoroughness stand him out in all he does and expressed deep joy that his son is succeeding in his life time.
In a remark, the Chairman of the Day, a retired Permanent Secretary and the Chairman, Governor's Elders Advisory Council, Chief Oluneye Okuboyejo, said the book is not a retirement memoir but a living proof that divine favour is not abstract theology, but a tangible force that elevates the forgotten, reroutes destinies and overturns human calculations; he added that the book is an evidence that when God steps in, protocols are suspended, as exemplified in Kehinde Onasanya's life.
In separate goodwill messages, the Head of Service, Lagos State, Mr. Bode Agoro and the Chairman, Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, Ogun State, Engr. Adeniyi Abiola, described the retiring Head of Service as a PR guru whose wide exposure ranks him amongst best administrators as seen in his passion for the welfare and well-being of the Civil Servants.
Responding, the author of the book, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, whose voice was emotion laden appreciated God for how far he has brought him despite all odds and thanked all the eminent dignitaries for the show of love on his unique and momentous occasion, as it was a celebration of the grace and beauty of God in his life.
Mr. Onasanya went down memory lane on how his life's journey started and concluded that favour found him out to make him reach the peak of his Civil Service career, which he didn't want to embark upon at the initial stage.
He appreciated his parents, and dedicated the book to the blessed memory of his mother, Mrs. Modupe Onasanya, from whom he drew great inspiration when he was going through his wilderness experience.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Local Government Pensions, Engr. Olufisan Osiyale, said the gathering was a celebration of a life of purpose, diligence and impactful service as the charisma and humility with which Mr. Onasanya carried the Office endeared many to him and added that the book launch was timely and symbolic, as the author demonstrated uncommon leadership traits.