… Says Nobody Steals Without Civil Servants Knowing
… Abiodun, Osoba Hail Retired Top Civil Servants, Unveil Book On Service Legacy
Daud Olatunji
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Tuesday declared that no meaningful governance can be achieved without the active commitment of civil servants, warning that acts of corruption within government hardly go unnoticed by the bureaucracy.
Obasanjo spoke at the public presentation of “Our Legacy, Our Pride: Fifty Years of Monumental Achievements in the Ogun State Civil/Public Service (1976–2026)”, organised by the Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, as part of activities marking Ogun State’s 50th anniversary.
The event, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, drew top government officials, former administrators and key stakeholders in the public service.
Drawing from his experience as both a military Head of State and civilian president, Obasanjo stressed that civil servants remain the backbone of governance.
“My own experience, both as military head of state and as president, is simply that without civil servants that work very, very hard, very, very harmoniously, we would not have achieved what we achieved,” he said.
He added, “Without civil servants, there would not be good government. That’s the truth.”
The elder statesman, however, issued a stern warning to political office holders, noting that civil servants possess deep institutional knowledge of government operations, including corrupt practices.
“You know all the bad and the good. You know all the crooked ways and the straight ways. And nobody in government can steal without you knowing it,” Obasanjo said.
“You may not necessarily support him, but you know it. And if anybody thinks he is clever and can outsmart you, can manoeuvre civil servants, he is the greatest fool I have ever met.”
Obasanjo admitted that Nigeria’s public service had suffered a decline over time, describing the trend as “backsliding,” but expressed optimism that the system could be restored.
“Do not let us deceive ourselves. There has been a little bit of backsliding, that is the truth. There is room for improvement, but there is also hope,” he added.
In his goodwill message, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, described the newly unveiled book as a vital documentation of the state’s administrative evolution.
“The story of the civil/public service of Ogun State is one deeply rooted in vision, character, professionalism and selfless sacrifice,” Abiodun said.
Highlighting the significance of the publication, he noted, “This publication is a mirror reflecting five decades of dedication, trials, resilience and progress that define the civil/public service of Ogun State.”
The governor said the book would serve not only as a historical record but also as a guide for future reforms, stressing that sustainable governance depends on learning from past experiences.
He also commended the association for its continued relevance in governance, even after retirement.
“Their engagement in governance, even after retirement, is a shining example of lifelong service,” Abiodun added.
Similarly, a former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, joined other dignitaries in applauding the contributions of retired top civil servants to the growth and stability of the state’s public service.
In his address, Chairman of the association, Adeniyi O. Abiola, described the publication as a landmark effort to document the journey of the state’s civil service over the last five decades.
He said the book, whose production began in February 2023, was completed within record time and would serve as a reservoir of knowledge and a benchmark for assessing government performance.
“The book captures the remarkable journey and contributions of governments, institutions, corporate bodies, and distinguished individuals to the socio-economic development of Ogun State,” Abiola said.
He added that the first edition published in 2016 had been widely accepted and fully exhausted, underscoring its relevance among public servants, students and researchers.
Abiola recommended that the Ogun State Government adopt both editions as study materials for promotion examinations within the public service.
Also reviewing the 825-page publication, a former Head of Service in Oyo State, Alhaji T.O. Aremu, described the book as a rich compendium of knowledge and experience.
“The book distils the wisdom, knowledge and experience of an impressive array of public sector experts. It provides a roadmap for sustainable achievements and a guide for future public servants,” he said.
Aremu noted that the publication highlighted progress in key sectors such as education, health, agriculture and public administration, while also drawing attention to persistent challenges, including pension management and policy implementation gaps.
He, however, called for broader contributions from other arms of government and the private sector in subsequent editions to address gaps in areas such as infrastructure and security.
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