Kenya President, Ruto receives Ooni, lauds his Pan-African initiatives
By Jeleel Olawale
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has been commended by President Williams Ruto of Republic of Kenya for his agenda for peace, unity and progress of the African people which he has continued to take around the world, describing him as a unique Pan-African king.
Ooni in a statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare, said President Ruto made the disclosure at the State House in Nairobi, Kenya while playing host to the foremost African monarch, known for consistently championing the course of unification of the African people globally for peace and economic advancement.
“Your Majesty, I sincerely welcome you and your team on behalf of government and good people of Kenya. We have been told of how you have consistently used your throne to work for peace and prosperity of our continent and the world at large, you are indeed a very unique Pan-African king of our time. This is what kings should be doing.
“I am particularly impressed by the quality of your entourage here today, a team of investors and business magnates who are here in Kenya to contribute to the economic prosperity of our country and the entire East Africa sub region.
“Kenyans and Nigerians are partners in progress for the development of Africa. The two countries have enjoyed good diplomatic ties together and this your visit and your investment mission in Kenya will surely further strengthen the existing cordiality between our two countries.”
“Kenya is opening for big enterprises, come and set up businesses here and I can assure you and members of your Ojaja Pan-African Business Initiatives some of whom are already operating in some East African countries of the unflinching support of my government.”
President Ruto said.
Ooni Ogunwusi had earlier thanked President Ruto for his warm reception accorded him, his queen, fellow kings and other members of his very large entourage, describing him as a Pan-African president and exemplary leader the African people can trust.
Ooni, who is the Co-Chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) who recently launched his Ojaja Pan-African Business Initiatives, told President Ruto how he decided to take the investment initiative to Kenya for the African Economy, its rapid growth of business and investment, and its recent government policies that have allowed companies to flourish.
The monarch described Kenya as a leading stable democracy in Africa, expressing his confidence in the president’s capacity to deliver monumental dividends of democracy to the people of Kenya.
Ooni took his time to present different business plans he and his team have for the East Africa starting from Kenya. He also invited the investors and professionals on his entourage to present their respective businesses to the president one after the other.
“I feel so great being received by you today. Few days ago, I was in the South America country of Brazil hosted by President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva to join him unveiling the Annual African Traditional Day (ISESE DAY), he was so happy seeing me and didn’t want me to go, but begged him to allow me leave Brazil as scheduled because president and good people of Kenya were already expecting me. I had to fly almost 36 hours to get here from Brazil. This is my Pan-African spirit.
“Mr President, I present to you, these powerful investors as members of my entourage. These are technocrats and captains of industries with over 10 billion dollars investment portfolios operating across the world. While some flew with me from Nigeria, some flew from different countries to join me here in Kenya.
“Apart from my agenda of Peace and Unification of the African people which I have come to share with you today, kindly relax and listen to presentation from these professionals who are here for very huge investment plans,” Ooni said.
Some of the investors and business groups gave presentations to President Ruto with a view to showcase their businesses in different field of endeavors.
The Kenyan president who during the meeting requested to become a member of the House of Oduduwa was given gifts of artifacts and bronze cast from the visiting Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide who also decorated him as’Proudly Omo Oduduwa”. The two great African leaders went into the inner chamber for a closed door meeting.
Notable Yoruba traditional rulers on the Ooni’s entourage included HRM Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Olusola.
Also, Alara of Ilara, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Joseph Adewole, Alapomu of Apomu Kingdom, Oba Afolabi Kayode Adenekan, Olori Temitope Adesegun Ogunwusi,
