Ogun LGSC Closes 2025 Service Week in Glitz and Glamour, Honours Outstanding Officers
By Adenike Olowe
In a night drenched in colour, culture, and celebration, the Ogun State Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) brought the curtain down on the 2025 Local Government Service Week with a spectacular Awards and Gala Night at the DLK Event Centre, Abiola Way, Abeokuta on Thursday, 13th November, 2025.
This year’s gala, the third edition since the 2023 inception, was a dazzling fusion of excellence, tradition, and glamour, as attendees donned the iconic Adire fabric, showcasing Ogun State’s rich cultural heritage in full splendour.
The evening was more than an awards ceremony—it was a cultural festival, a testament to the State’s commitment to celebrating dedication, innovation, and professionalism at the grassroots level.
A Celebration of Vision and Leadership
Welcoming the crowd, Otunba Koye Martins Ijaduoye, Chairman of the Planning Committee and Full-Time Commissioner II, hailed the initiative as a major boost to staff morale and productivity.
Leading the celebrations, Ms. Olivia Olubukunola Onabanjo, Chairman of the Commission, expressed deep gratitude to Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, highlighting his unwavering support for reforms aimed at improving Local Governance.
“The Commission has fully embraced the ‘Building Our Future’ Agenda, aligning innovation, system reforms, and a culture of excellence with the Governor’s vision for grassroots development,” she declared.
Under her watch, the LGSC has successfully executed 2023 and 2024 promotion exercises, converted eligible officers, confirmed appointees, and conducted comprehensive tours of all twenty Local Governments—steps aimed at boosting institutional capacity and service delivery.
Royalty and Lawmakers Laud Reforms
The glamour of the evening was heightened by His Royal Highness, Oba (Barr) Hezekiah Rasidi Tayo, Eselu of Okeselu, Sagamu Local Government, who praised Ms. Onabanjo’s leadership, likening her transformative efforts to the developmental legacy of his late father, former Governor Chief Bisi Onabanjo.
Other dignitaries, including Hon. (Mrs.) Lateefat Bolanle Ajayi, Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Sesan Abolaji Fagbayi, Commissioner for Tourism, and Elder Olorunmbe Aregbesola, Chairman of Association of Retired HOLGAs, commended the Commission for instituting merit-based recognition and strategic reforms that have repositioned the Local Government Service.
Excellence on Display: Awards That Sparked Cheers
The evening reached a crescendo with awards that recognized exceptional talent and dedication. Among the winners:
Best Administrator of the Year 2025: Alhaji Ayinla Sulaimon Olalekan, HOLGA, Ijebu-Ode Local Government
First Runner-Up: Mrs. Kikelomo Munirat Ajayi, HOLGA, Abeokuta North Local Government
Second Runner-Up: Mr. Odusoga Monsuru, HOLGA, Ogun Waterside Local Government
Other categories included:
Best Revenue Drive: Alhaja Toriola Monsurat
Best Internal Auditor: Alhaja Zainab Faleye
Outstanding Human Resources Officer: Mr. Popoola Olanrewaju Lukman
Best Grassroots Mobilizer: Mr. Matthew Ilori Akande
Best Environmental Officer: Sanitarian Bankole Titilayo Janet
Image Maker of the Year: Miss Fadipe Olajumoke Basirat
Best Infrastructural Manager of the Year: Engr. Oladeinde Oladapo Philip
Most Outstanding Agricultural Officer of the Year: Mr. Ezekiel Abolade Omidiji
Most Outstanding Budget, Planning, Research and Statistics Officer of the Year: Mrs. Okewale Emily
The Most Efficient and Effective Marriage Registrar of the Year: Mr. Jamiu Adeola Awoyemi
The Best Non-Unified Female Staff of the Year: Ms Itunuoluwa Ayomide Awolaja
The Best Non-Unified Male Staff of the Year: Mr. Olamilekan Muhiza Olayori
Best Local Government 2025: Ewekoro Local Government
A Cultural Extravaganza
Adding dramatic flair, attendees showcased the vibrant Adire fabric, with traditional patterns and modern styles dominating the venue. The display of cultural pride became a statement of identity, linking professional excellence with Ogun State’s rich heritage.
The gala drew high-profile guests including Full-Time Commissioners, Directors, Chairpersons and members of boards and parastatals, ALGON led by State Chairman Hon. Waliat Folasade Adeyemo (PhD), Bodies of retired and serving Permanent Secretaries, Association of retired HOLGAs and Serving HOLGAs, representatives of NLC and NULGE, Pensioners, Departmental Heads, and staff from all twenty Local Governments—underscoring collective solidarity with the Commission’s transformational Agenda.
Commitment to Sustained Excellence
Engr. Olanike Olawunmi Ogunbona, FNSE, Permanent Secretary of the Commission, congratulated all awardees, emphasizing that recognizing excellence is pivotal to workforce motivation, institutional growth, and effective grassroots service delivery.
As the curtains fell on the 2025 Local Government Service Week, the gala stood as a bold celebration of culture, innovation, and dedication, setting a high standard for future editions and reinforcing Ogun State’s leadership in public sector excellence.
