Osoba credits Ogun civil servants for achievements during his tenure

Former Ogun State Governor and Veteran Journalist , Chief Olusegun Osoba…File Copy

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A former Ogun State governor and All Progressives Congress national leader, Olusegun Osoba, says the achievements recorded during his administration between 1999 and 2003 were made possible by the dedication and expertise of the state’s civil servants.

Speaking on Sunday after he and a former Nestlé Nigeria CEO, Segun Osunkeye, were decorated as Vice Patrons of the Abeokuta Club, Osoba said he relied solely on the state’s workforce throughout his tenure.

He said he deliberately avoided bringing in external technocrats, noting that Ogun’s civil service was already equipped with highly trained professionals capable of driving governance and development.

“I never brought anyone from outside the state to work with me while I was governor, not even a messenger.

“So whatever modest success we recorded during our administration, it was the civil servants that were used.

“Even the technocrats were in the civil service. I worked with all the civil servants I met on ground,” Osoba said.

He cited projects such as rural electrification, rural road construction, and the development of the Abeokuta Hilltop Housing Estate, which he described as “perhaps the most expensive, most secure and best estate today”, as examples of civil service competence.

Osoba also recalled redirecting government funds previously used for sponsoring religious pilgrimages to education.

He said many pupils were taking desks and chairs from home, and some were unable to sit the West African Senior School Certificate Examination because their parents could not afford the fees.

“So I said, instead of spending millions on Muslim and Christian pilgrimages, I would rather support the education sector.

“That was how we began to produce chairs and desks and started paying the WASSCE fees,” he said.

The 85-year-old former governor said he remained committed to contributing to good governance and community development.

Describing the Abeokuta Club recognition as the “greatest honour” he had received, Osoba said he felt fulfilled being celebrated by his own community.

Earlier, the Life President of the club and former Vice-Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Prof. Afolabi Soyode, said Osoba and Osunkeye were being honoured for their immense contributions to national development.

He described the two honourees as men whose lives embody service, integrity, and commitment to societal progress.

A former Nigerian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Sarafadeen Tunji Ishola, also praised the Abeokuta Club for its role in promoting socio-economic development in Egbaland, noting that Osoba and Osunkeye remained models of leadership and integrity.

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