Ogun LG Workers Get Recognition as Abiodun Demands Higher Performance; Sagamu Wins Best Council Award

Adesina Babatunde, Jinadu Fatimah, Sakiru Olopade, Popoola Lukman, Kotiku Oluseyi, Omidiji Ezekiel, Ogunjobi Festus, Sanni Ganiyat, Alaran Morufat, Bankole Olugbenga and Afolabi Taiwo make full Awardees’ list

The Ogun State Local Government Service Commission has celebrated outstanding public servants and high-performing cCouncils, with Sagamu Local Government emerging as the Best Local Government of the Year at the 2026 Award of Excellence and Gala Night in Abeokuta.

Global Mirror News gathered that the ceremony, which brought together top Government officials, traditional rulers, serving and retired civil servants and other stakeholders, also provided an opportunity for Governor Dapo Abiodun to challenge workers across the State’s 20 Local Government Areas to raise the standard of grassroots administration through professionalism, discipline, innovation and improved service delivery.

Represented by his Deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, FNSE, the Governor delivered the charge on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the DLK Event Centre, Leme, Abeokuta, during the grand finale of the 2026 Ogun State Local Government Service Week.

Global Mirror News reports that the awards ceremony was designed to recognise employees and institutions whose dedication, competence and contributions have strengthened the delivery of Government services at the grassroots.

The 2026 Service Week, celebrated under the theme, “From Experience to Excellence: Strengthening Service Delivery at the Grassroots,” placed the spotlight on the critical role of Local Government employees in translating government policies into practical benefits for residents.

Speaking through his Deputy, Abiodun described a productive and efficient Local Government workforce as essential to sustainable development, urging public servants to see their positions as opportunities to make meaningful differences in the lives of the people.

He congratulated the award recipients, stressing that the recognition should inspire them to demonstrate even greater commitment, responsibility and productivity.

The Governor also appreciated Local Government employees and grassroots stakeholders for their contributions to the achievements of his administration, while calling for sustained support for the All Progressives Congress ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Ogun State Local Government Service Commission, Ms Olivia Olubukunola Onabanjo, attributed the improving performance of the Local Government Service to the state government’s support for workers’ welfare, career advancement and professional development.

She specifically acknowledged the administration’s record of prompt salary payments, regular promotion exercises, continuous training and retraining, as well as infrastructural support aimed at improving the working environment and operational capacity of Local Government employees.

Onabanjo said the Commission was determined to move the service away from the traditional culture of business as usual to a performance-driven system where professionalism, accountability, efficiency and measurable results would define public service.

She explained that the Commission had continued to introduce workforce development programmes, including capacity-building workshops, staff recognition initiatives, health and wellness programmes and institutional reforms to improve workers’ competence and productivity.

According to her, the objective is to build a responsive and result-oriented workforce capable of meeting the expectations of residents and addressing the changing demands of grassroots governance.

The recognition of Sagamu Local Government as the Best Local Government of the Year emerged as one of the major highlights of the evening,

Other awardees included Mr Babatunde Folarin Adesina and Mrs Fatimah Oluwatoyin Jinadu, who were jointly recognised in the Best Administrator category; Mr Lukman Olanrewaju Popoola, Outstanding Human Resources Manager of the Year; and Mrs Oluseyi Adedayo Kotiku, Best Grassroots Mobiliser of the Year.

Mr Sakiru Olopade received the Best Image Maker of the Year Award, while Mr Ezekiel Abolade Omidiji was recognised as the Outstanding Agricultural Person of the Year.

Dr Festus Olalekan Ogunjobi emerged as the Outstanding Budget, Planning, Research and Statistics Officer of the Year, while Mrs Ganiyat Bamidele Sanni received the Best Revenue Driven Manager Award.

Mrs Morufat Aderonke Alaran was honoured as the Best Internal Audit Compliance Personnel of the Year, while Engr. Olugbenga Gabriel Bankole received the Best Infrastructural Manager Award.

Mr Taiwo Olugbolade Afolabi completed the list as the Most Outstanding Environmental Practitioner of the Year.

The full list of award recipients reflected the diversity of responsibilities within the Local Government Service, from Administration, human resources and Revenue Generation to Agriculture, infrastructure, Environmental Management, Communication and Grassroots Mobilisation.

In separate goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan Fagbayi; the Eselu of Okeselu Kingdom, HRM Oba Hezekiah Tayo; Mr Owodeyi and other distinguished guests commended the Commission for instituting the awards.

They described the initiative as an effective way of encouraging healthy competition, rewarding diligence and strengthening the culture of excellence among Local Government employees.

In her appreciation remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Engr. Olanike Ogunbona, FNSE, thanked Governor Abiodun, members of the National Assembly from Ogun State, the State Executive and Legislative Arms of Government, traditional rulers, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and other stakeholders for their support towards the successful organisation of the programme.

The event attracted State Commissioners, Full-Time Commissioners of the Local Government Service Commission, traditional rulers, captains of industry, serving and retired senior civil servants and other prominent personalities.

Beyond the glamour of the gala night and presentation of awards, the celebration reinforced the importance of recognising the people behind grassroots governance.

For residents who depend on Local Government institutions for essential administrative services, revenue management, environmental sanitation, infrastructure and community development, the quality of service delivery is closely connected to the competence and commitment of the workers responsible for these duties.

The Commission’s recognition initiative therefore represents an important step towards building a workforce where dedication is rewarded, excellence is encouraged and public accountability remains central to administration.

As Ogun State continues to pursue its grassroots development agenda, the challenge before the 20 Local Government Areas is to ensure that the recognition of outstanding performance translates into improved service delivery and tangible benefits for the people.

Report: Dele Ogunyemi

Media Team, 2026 Ogun State Local Government Service Week

E-Signed: Olopade Sakiru
Chairman, LG Service Week Media Team.