TheCable

Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, has met with William Ruto, the president of Kenya.

The Osun monarch’s visit to Nairobi over the weekend was aimed to discuss his “global peace agenda, unification of African people, and Ojaja Pan-African Business Initiatives,” with Ruto.

The initiative is investing in retail outlets across the southwest, a resort in Ife and Akure, and a university in Ilorin.

It is understood that Temitope Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni’s queen, and Wavinya Ndeti, the governor of Kenya’s Machakos County, also joined the trip.

Receiving the monarch in Nairobi, Ruto said he is fascinated at the Ooni’s quest to “strengthen peace in Africa”.

He said the Ooni is using his stool to bridge the gap between the traditional institutions, government, and the people.

The president said he is willing to support the Ooni’s initiative to toughen the bond between Nigeria and Kenya.

“This is what kings should be doing. Kenyans and Nigerians are partners in progress for the development of Africa,” Ruto said.

“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 of the unflinching support of my government.”

Reacting to Ruto’s remarks, Ooni described the Kenyan president as a pan-African leader that “people can trust.”

He expressed his confidence in the president’s capacity to deliver “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,” the Ooni said during the visit.

“I’m thankful for the demonstration of his special 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.”

The Ooni, while speaking further on his new initiative, said he looks to develop ties that will propel bilateral trade.

“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,” the monarch added.

“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.”