Ooni of Ife, Kenyan president, discuss business, peace initiative

…….. Calls for deeper economic engagement within Africa

Arole Oduduwa, Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has recently visited Kenyan President, His Excellency, William Ruto on a state visit to discuss his Global Peace Agenda, unification of African people and Ojaja Pan-African Business Initiatives, which is currently extending to global space.

Ooni commended Ruto for his leadership qualities in making Kenya a leading stable democracy in Africa and also expressed his confidence in the president’s capacity to deliver monumental dividends of democracy to the people of Kenya.

“Africa is the most appealing continent, with immense natural fortune and untapped human capital that are altering the global workforce, trade, and investment. I am thankful for the president’s demonstration of his commitment to push for the inclusion of traditional institutions as enablers of good governance in Africa as I unveiled the Ooni Ojaja Pan-Africa Business and Investment Initiative with a large contingent of entrepreneurs across Africa. It is clear that we must consciously expand our economic engagement with unprecedented access to markets between our two countries. Nigeria needs Kenya, and Kenya needs Nigeria. Our ambition is to develop the most ambitious ties that will propel us to sell goods and services more easily across borders while our children can pursue opportunities across Africa without barriers of immigration and unfriendly movement policies.

“The borderless African continent is an unexploited asset that is critical to unlocking the economic potential of African countries. The vision of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is one of the flagships for the continent’s shared wealth and economic boom. It is a game changer that can provide a tariff-free framework that should have been in existence since 1957 when Ghana became the first African country to achieve independence from colonial rule. It is time to build the “Africa that We Want,” not as a slogan, but as an epic movement that restores Africa’s honour, pride, and reverence, from aid to trade,” he said.

Receiving His Imperial Majesty and his entourage at the Kenyan Government House in Nairobi, President Ruto lauded Ooni’s quest to ensure Africa grows in peace and unity by using his position to bridge the gap between a traditional, government institutions and the people.

Ruto said that Kenya is willing to support the Ooni’s Initiatives and strengthen partnerships due to the King’s investment in human development and business success.

“Your Majesty, I sincerely welcome you and your team on behalf of the 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.

“Kenyans and Nigerians are partners in progress for the development of Africa. The two countries have enjoyed good diplomatic ties together and this visit and 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”, he said.