When Governor Ibikunle Amosun picked Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga as his deputy in 2015, many wondered if he had made the right choice. This is because Gov. Amosun is a restless man by nature. He is also a workaholic. So, anybody who was going to work with him would be someone who is strong and reliable. How would this quiet and easy going woman cope with the drudgery and rigours of the job, many asked. Unlike many states in Nigeria where Deputy Governors are seen as mere spare tyres, in Ogun State under Gov. Amosun, the Deputy Governor would have to be on his or her feet 24/7. Apart from doing administrative work and attending rigorous meetings, there are negotiations on a daily basis that require top level government officials. This is besides the social side of the job, which also makes it tedious, as the deputy governor has to attend parties almost on a daily basis, especially at weekends.
That has been the lot of Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga, who has been rated by many to be the most hardworking Deputy Governor, not only in the history of the state, but in the country. Don’t forget she is female. She is a wife, mother, community leader and role model to many young girls across the state. She is a devout Christian.
At first, when Gov. Amosun needed a Deputy Governor in 2015, he had to consult many stakeholders in Ogun East, since he is from Ogun Central. He consulted first class kings, high chiefs opinion leaders, stakeholders and elders of that senatorial zone. After rigorous consultations in search of a worthy candidate, he was able to narrow his options down to 3 persons, but one name kept cropping up. And that name was Yetunde Onanuga.
She was then a top Civil Servant in Lagos State. She is a seasoned Civil Servant and many wondered how she would cope with the day-to-day demands of her job. So, at first many didn’t give her a chance to succeed.
In the past 4 years all these fears had been seen to be unfounded because she has proved herself to be a very competent Deputy Governor, who knows her onions. She has been a very loyal deputy to Gov. Amosun and a very hardworking one for that matter. She is not only good administratively as she is at home with paper work, she is also on the road 24/7 representing and standing in for her boss everywhere he sends her.
That is why Gov. Amosun has come to depend on her. She is energetic and strong, as she travels round the country to represent her boss, who is super energetic.
Unknown to many people, the woman has been saddled with a lot of responsibilities by the Governor and she has never for once complained explained an insider. She is forever cheerful. Mostly, she has been the one representing the Governor at the Federal Executive Council Meetings in Abuja and at major and key events that most Governors won’t send their deputies to. He trusts her so much that he allows her handle sensitive issues.
Many also don’t know that the Ogun Deputy Governor, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga supervises the Ministry of Rural Development. She was given that portfolio because of the seriousness government attaches to rural development. Her job in the rural development Ministry has brought her closer to Rural Dwellers across the state, as she tackles the challenges of providing social amenities like electricity for rural dwellers. Her ministry atimes enters into public-private partnership and gets support from donor agencies for their projects.
Because of her great sense of enterprise and hardwork, she has taken a lot of work and stress off the shoulders of Gov. Amosun. Her experience as a Civil Servant has helped her in terms of administrative and procedural competence.
She is 58. Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga was born at the popular Adeoyo Hospital in Ibadan, Oyo State in Nigeria. Her father was F.T. Fabamwo.
She hails from Ijebu Igbo in Ijebu North Local Government area of the state.
Her mother is also a Princess from a ruling house in Akaka town in the Remo area of Ogun State, therefore, she has a link with all the sections of Ogun East Senatorial District.
She was educated at the Lagos State College of Science and Technology now Lagos State Polytechnic and the Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), where she also obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA).
She was working in the Lagos State Ministry of Environment when she was chosen as a running mate of Governor IbikunleAmosun in 2015. Amosun was the sitting candidate, but his previous deputy governor had defected to an opposition party. Amosun chose Onanuga out of 3 possible candidates.
Her husband is Otunba Biodun Onanuga, who is the Giwa (President) of the popular age grade Egbe Bobakeye Akile Ijebu He is also the Managing Director of NUGACON Group of Companies.
Princess Onanuga is the grand-daughter of late Oba of Akaka-Remo in Remo North Local Government area, Oba Oye Sofodu.
As an experienced public servant, having risen to become a Director of Finance and Administration in the Lagos State public service, she has deployed all her experience in public administration for the benefit of the Ogun State Government. That is why her boss, Gov. Amosun depends on her a lot.
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