Former Super Eagles striker, Segun Odegbami joins Oniwasimi Obaship race

By Kolawole Olayinka, Abeokuta

Former Super Eagles player, Chief Segun Odegbami has joined the race to fill the vacant stool of Oniwasinmi of Wasimi, a town near Abeokuta in Ogun State.

There has been clamour for the ex-Super Eagles striker to join the race in view of his national and international exposure.

The need to include the ace footballer of international repute has already been tabled before the Regent to the throne, High Chief Lawrence Ilori–Balogun and the head of kingmakers in the town.

On Friday, a delegation of notable individuals from Egba Oke-Ona visited the kingmakers. Their mission was to allow the inclusion of Chief Odegbami in the race.

The team was led by Chief Samson Afolabi Ogunwale, the Oluwo of Oke-Ona Egba and Chief Jimoh Eboda, Apena of Oke-Ona Egba, with Chief Odegbami also in attendance. 

Speaking with the press, Chief Ogunwale said his delegation visited the Wasinmi to sympathise with the community on the demise of Oba Emmanuel Babatunde Osuntogun, who joined his forefathers on Monday, 13th December, 2021 after 16 years’ reign.

He also commended the regent for his astute leadership since the demise of the late Oba.

Chief Ogunwale explained that although, it is the Egba-Ake section of Wasinmi that should produce the next but the town needs someone with national and international spread for its rapid development.

He pointed out that Odegbami is a former Super Eagles player that has local, national and international recognition and is well connected all over the world, adding that if he is considered for the vacant stool, it will be of great advantage for Wasinmi and its surrounding villages.

In his own speech, Chief Odegbami tendered his apology to Wasinmi people for his absence since the demise of the late Oba four months ago. 

He noted that since it is the wish of his people from Oke-Ona Egba that he should join the race for the vacant stool, he was ready to abide by their wish.

Chief Odegbami added that his bid for the throne however, would not be a do or die affair.

“We are all putting the development of our town first in our quest to fill the throne,” he said. 

Chief Odegbami explained that his father hailed from Oke-Ona Egba but his mother came from Imo in Egba-Ake. 

“So, I am Egba-Ake and qualify to join the race,” Odegbami said.

The regent, High Chief Ilori-Balogun said: “It is Egba Ake’s turn and we all know that. But if Egba-Ake cannot produce a candidate or candidates, then the choice will move to the next section and quarters to be considered and those are Owu and Oke-Ona.

“But according to the kingmakers and the Ake Parliament, we want pure Ake and because of that, many candidates have been disqualified as they were coming from their mothers’ sections to claim the stool,” he said.