Otunba Segun Showunmi, convener of the National Opposition Movement Coalition (NOMC), a platform aimed at fostering grassroots consensus for the selection of future leaders and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has been installed as the Odofin of Keesi in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Showunmi was installed on Wednesday at a ceremony attended by traditional rulers, community leaders and political associates, marking his formal assumption of the second-ranking traditional title in Keesi land.
The traditional chieftaincy title of Odofin is the second-ranking authority in the leadership hierarchy of Keesi land, the birthplace of the PDP leader.
Addressing journalists shortly after the conferment, Showunmi thanked the elders and traditional rulers in Keesi and Egbaland for honouring him with the title.
He said the title is not ceremonial but a challenge to further drive development and progress at the grassroots level.
The PDP chieftain said he accepted the honour because it is imperative for the younger generation to deploy transformative leadership to galvanise good governance and development at the grassroots.
Showunmi, who is also eyeing the governorship seat in 2027, said, “If you are asked to transform a state and you are given an opportunity to start in your area, why don’t you use the transformation of your area to give them an idea of what it means to really transform a state and transform the country?
“So we know who we are in Keesi. We are the first to have a grammar school, the first to have a clinic and town hall in Egbaland. We are sure of who we are and, by the grace of God, will continue to add our own little contributions.
“We will bring more to the table. We will look for all Keesi sons and daughters and begin to get them interested in the development of the township. It is all about deploying transformative leadership to make life generally much easier and rewarding.
“My grandfather was an Odofin. My father is the present Balogun and my uncle is the Apena. Most of these men are getting advanced in age and, therefore, it is now necessary for us, their younger children, to partake in it, to look at it and see how we can improve it.
“Of all the towns here, Keesi is particularly significant. We were the first to have our own community-based school. We were the first to have our own clinic, which is Keesi Clinic.
“We were the first to have our own tower, the very impressive tower that you see around. And obviously, you can see our Ile Ogboni, the traditional courtyard where we hold court, clearly the biggest and the best for now in Egbaland.
“So we know who we are, we are sure of who we are, and by the grace of God, we will continue to add our own little contributions to it. We will bring more to the table. We will look for all Keesi sons and daughters and begin to get them interested in the further development of our community.
“A couple of weeks ago, I commissioned a needs assessment for the entire Keesi, both at home and abroad, to ascertain precisely what is now required.
“The report is about to be sent to me and, once it is received, we will set up a committee to begin to see how we can transform Keesi.
“If you are asked to transform a state and you are given an opportunity to start in your area, why don’t you begin with your area to demonstrate what it means to truly transform a state and the country?”
While performing the installation, the Apena of Keesi and Baagbimo of Egbaland, Chief Akanni Israel, said Showunmi was honoured for his contributions to the growth, socio-economic development and impactful leadership in Keesi and the state at large.
