Ooni calls for national development, progress of AfCFTA

……Urge Obidients, Atikulates to support president-elect

The Arole Oduduwa, Ooni of Ife; Ooni Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II has called for collaboration between African countries to bring about development.

He also urged the continent to leverage on African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) for its prosperity, while also creating an innovative future for youths.

He said this in Lagos while leading a high delegation sent by Kenyan President, William Ruto, headed by Kenya’s Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Francis Koskie; Chairman Dangote Groups, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; CEO, Propetrol, Harry Ebohen; Governor, Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun and Fintech Expert, Kunmi Demuren on a courtesy visit to the president Elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his Lagos residence.

Ooni said, “Nigeria remains Africa’s largest economy, most populous nation, and a political powerhouse. During my last visit, the Kenyan President assured me of his government’s unwavering determination to improve its nations’ and businesses’ footprints in Nigeria. Africa is the world’s engine, and we must remodel its priceless natural resources and safeguard its age-old wealth for our progress.”

After the meeting with the Kenyan Government representatives and Nigeria’s business communities, Tinubu, citing Dangote’s $20 billion Refinery which is set to commence operation fully by the end of the month, stated his readiness to partner with other business leaders in his quest to transform Nigeria’s economy and also transit Nigeria from a consuming dependent economy to producing economy.

Tinubu also committed his readiness to partner with East Africa, especially Kenya, by creating a more robust partnership; rejigging its long relationship which will help both governments grow astronomically in trade, cultural exchange and intergovernmental development.

Ooni of Ife, however, appealed to all Nigerian across the country regardless of their party affiliation to come together and work with the President-Elect for the progress of Nigeria.

He said that as the country transitions to a new government, all citizens should focus on governance and the country’s greatness irrespective of candidate choice and party affiliations.

“As the presidential inauguration approaches, I beseech you all, young and old, Obidients and Atikulates, hopeful and weary, amiable and passionate, to lay down your arms. There is no reason to waste time looking back; all we have is today and the future. Now is the time to embrace our diversity and uniqueness. We may differ in opinions and approaches to achieving a better Nigeria, but we all want a nation we can be proud of. Let us come together to support the vision of Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua,” he said.