Alhaji Onagbenga Onayemi: Celebrating A ThoroughBred Professional And Cerebral Administrator At Retirement

By: Tope OYEKAN

That the local government service of Ogun State will soon be deprived of one of its best brains is never an overstatement.

This time through statutory retirement policy, our dear, humble, brilliant, modest, focused, and result-oriented boss, Alhaji Onagbenga Onayemi, gloriously bows out of the service on Friday, 1st April, 2022, after having served his state meritoriously, leaving behind him, a great legacy, and a very positive imprints on the sands of time.

Except for the statutory policy which has made it mandatory, and thus becomes inevitable for the entire workforce to exit when the time beckons; Alhaji Onayemi and any of his likes, could have been urged to stay on in the system, and add more value; even if it will require a special approval from the state’s number one citizen.

However, I take consolation in the fact that he has actually done his bit and he is leaving as a happy and a fulfilled man.

I knew and I have worked with Alhaji Onayemi at three local governments spread across the three senatorial districts of Ogun State.

First was at Imeko-Afon Local Government (Ogun West) in year 2007; while second was at Abeokuta South Local Government (Ogun Central); and the third and most recent, was at Ijebu Ode Local Government (Ogun East).

Though the time spent together at those stations were usually short. At Imeko, while I was beginning to enjoy his acts of goodwill, I was posted on secondment to the Local Government Service Commission, as Personal Assistant to the then Full-time Commissioner I, Hon. Ladi ADEBUTU.

Also at Abeokuta South Local Government, I didn’t stay too long before I was posted to Odeda Local Government.

Ijebu Ode episode was a bit different, as he was posted from the station to the Local Government Service Commission to serve as the Director, Manpower Development and Training, leaving me behind at Ijebu Ode. He has barely spent some months at Ijebu Ode, having been posted therein from Odogbolu Local Government.

At those three instances however, the memories of how very good a boss could be to his subordinate still resonates in my mind, and will always remain indelible in history.

Alhaji Onayemi’s humility is heartwarming; as he also remains a source of inspiration. He is such a friendly personality and so accessible and approachable.

I will always remember vividly how often he appreciates my work, always giving kudos, which usually serves as an impetus that I can always rely on, and wanting to do more, and even surpassing the present standard.

The fond memories of him calling me “aburo”, when actually we were not biologically connected, made a lot of sense to me. Or is it his usual call of a pet-name, “Topiro” that will be easily forgotten?

Still on his personal attributes, and being a very good and highly humble boss that he is, I recollect his attendance at my late father’s burial on November 10, 2010, when despite his tight official schedule, he was able to attend in the evening, the event held at Iperu, and only dropped donation and left immediately, telling me that how important I am, actually made him attend, even at that time of the day.

This and many other outstanding qualities of his are quite acknowledged and greatly appreciated.

As he joins the league of senior citizens, I wish him a happy, healthy, peaceful, fruitful, rewarding, and remarkable retirement. 

My heartfelt congratulations and sincere best wishes to him.

Alhaji Onagbenga Musilhdeen Onayemi, Director, Manpower Development and Training, Local Government Service Commission, Ogun State, was born in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, to the family of Alhaji Ambalih Onakoya Ibrahim Onayemi and Princess Sarat Adebimpe Onayemi (both of blessed memory).

He had his primary education at Moslem Primary School, Molode, Ijebu Ode, from 1967-1972. 

The young Gbenga proceeded to Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu Ode in 1973, for his secondary education, and sat for his West African School Certificate Examination in 1978. 

He worked briefly as a Clerk at the Epe Plywood Industry Nigeria Limited, between September 1978 and July 1979, and returned to Ijebu Ode for a teaching appointment with the Central Schools Board, and was posted to Anglican Comprehensive High School Ikoto, Ijebu Ode, as a Class Teacher.

In 1981, he gained admission to Ogun State Polytechnic Abeokuta (Now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic) for National Diploma in Accounting which he completed in 1983. He was at the same institution for his Higher National Diploma in Accounting between 1984 and 1986. Thereafter, he served his fatherland, Nigeria, by participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, at the Bursary Department of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State, between 1986 and 1987.

He joined the Local Government Service of Ogun State in 1988 as a Higher Executive Officer (Accounts), and rose through the ranks to the exalted position of Head of Local Government Administration. Because of his professional prowess he was posted to work in Fifteen (15) different Local Governments across the three senatorial districts, and the four geo-political zones of Ogun State, before his recent secondment to Ogun State Local Government Service Commission, Abeokuta, as the Director, Manpower Development and Training, where he is retiring today. During his short stay at the commission, the steady efforts made in developing the human capacity and improving the efficiency of the council staff across the state can be attested to by all.

It is also instructive to state that Alhaji Onayemi, at some times, was renown for having the midas touch of resolving and finding lasting solutions to dwindling finances of any local government he was posted to, with reference to low IGR, inability to pay salaries, amongst other financial challenges.

Comrade Onayemi bagged a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Management and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Ado Ekiti in 1999 and 2003 respectively.

In year 2018, he was also at the Obafemi Awolowo University for a Postgraduate Diploma in Local Government Studies.

A thoroughbred Accountant, and cerebral Administrator, Comrade Onayemi is a Fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (FCNA). 

He was the Vice Chairman of the Ogun State branch of the association between 2014 and 2018.

 

In his cause of serving humanity, he has served in various capacities in labour, religious, and professional organisations. Comrade Onayemi served as the Chairman of Ifo Local Government branch of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, between 1993 and 1996, and was later elected as State Treasurer of the union in 1996, and served two consecutive terms of 4 years each.

A socialite of repute, he was the President of Rotary Club of Elega, District 9110, between July 2017 and June 2018. He is a member of the prestigious Ijebu Ode Club, and former President of Club April 3rd of Ijebuland.

A devout Muslim, Alhaji Onayemi contributes his quota immensely towards the propagation of Islam. In recognition of his active religious participation, he was honoured with the titles of Osupa Adinni of Idomowo mosque, and Seriki Adinni of Itamora Muslim Community in Ijebu Ode, his hometown.

A man of outstanding religious piety, I can attest to his diligence in the observance of the daily Muslim solat. This I knew while I stayed at the local government staff quarters, Imeko. I was then staying with another very good boss of mine, and my mentor, and benefactor, Otunba Adewale Bamiro, the then Director of Information, Education, and Social Development, at Imeko-Afon Local Government, whose flat was adjacent to his.

A loving husband, and caring father, Alhaji Onayemi is happily married to Alhaja Riskat Titilope Onayemi, and the union is blessed with wonderful children.

Once again, I congratulate, while I also wish him a very robust and glorious retirement.

Tope OYEKAN

Former Director, Information, Education and Sports,

Ijebu Ode Local Government; Immediate-past Director, Information, Education, and Sports,

Ikenne Local Government

topeoyekan40@gmail.com

31st March, 2022