Nigerian Monarch, Ooni of Ife visits Canada on trade mission and cultural exchange

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II recently visited Canada.

Ooni Ogunwusi visited Canada on what was described as a trade mission and a cultural exchange. His presence in Brampton made the local news in the city of Brampton. He attended a criket match and was hosted by city official in Brampton.

The Ooni is the traditional ruler and spiritual leader of Ife-Ife, the Nigerian town seen to be as the ‘cradle of the Yoruba people’.

“His Imperial Majesty was invited to Canada by the Canadian Nigerian community in the GTA. This is not an official visit involving the Nigerian High Commission or the Government of Canada,” the city further stated in their press release.

Cricket-mania is beyond boundaries. This has been what the organizers of the Global T20 Canada Cricket Tournament firmly believe in and are proudly promoting. Heading into the final few days of Season 2, the tournament received royal blessings from a cricketing nation from the other side of the globe.

The King of Nigeria, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife Ojaja II and Her Royal Highness Queen Naomi made a stop at and brought royal greetings to the tournament during half time of yesterday’s match between the Toronto Nationals and the Winnipeg Hawks.

During the visit, the King gave his spiritual blessings to the organizers as well as to everyone in the crowd. He also praised the organizers of GT20 for hosting this international tournament, bringing 84 countries together through cricket.

Nigeria, a country in West Africa, is a cricket-playing nation. When asked by GT20 Official Host Erin Holland during a live broadcast interview, the King told the world that he was a cricket fan and he used to play the sport when he was in school. He said he loved the initiatives of the GT20 organizers of promoting crickets around the world.

The King described the purpose of his official visit to Canada was for cultural exchange as well as to promote a global awareness of peace and peaceful coexistence. He commended GT20 organizers for hosting this international sporting event, having strong presence in over 84 countries and bringing the world together.

The King is currently in Canada for an official trade mission. The organizers of GT20 felt tremendously honoured to have received His Imperial Majesty and Her Royal Highness at the Games during his Canada’s visit.

Meanwhile the king was hosted on by Brampton City officials on Monday, August 12 from 2:30 pm to 4 pm.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and members of council hosted a reception for the monarch. The king at the event urged Nigerians in Canada to remember their home country.

The African monarch gave the admonition on during a ceremony of Proclamation Day, Flag Exchange presentation of city key done in his honour by the government of the City of Brampton in Toronto by the Mayor of Brampton Patrick Brown, his wife Genevieve, cabinet members and members of Nigeria community led by His Excellency, Ambassador Adeyinka Asekun alongside senior officials of the embassy of Nigeria in Canada.

Welcoming the visiting Ooni and his entourage in his speech, the 41 year old Mayor expressed delights at hosting the epoch event describing himself as being lucky receiving such a revered African king.

“Your Imperial Majesty, I feel so delighted to be your host today. The city of Brampton is humble to be your host for this great event because you are one of the greatest kings in the world.

I visited Nigeria in 2006 and I was in love with the country. It is a great country of great people and great cultures.

We know you, you have been preaching peace and harmony all over the world and that is why we have decided to honour you today”. Mayor Brown said

According to the Mayor, the city of Brampton hosts over 60, 000 Africans and Caribbeans with Nigerians standing out contributing immensely to the socioeconomic development of the city and Canada in general.

“This city have over 60, 000 Africans including Caribbeans residing here. This population has more Nigerians doing very great.”

“Your majesty, I feel great everyday to see these great Nigerians contributing to the development of Brampton and Canada socially and economically.”

“I look forward to visiting Nigeria soon for productive collaboration and my first point of call will be Ile-Ife because I have read and heard about the cultural richness of Yoruba people who have you as the overall head”. He added

Ooni Ogunwusi in speech proclaimed Brampton as the city of love, appreciating the warm reception and honour given him.

I proclaim this city as ‘city of love’ cos you have so welcoming and receptive. I could feel in your spirit what is called love through this warm reception”.

You have been good to Nigerians and I feel so proud of the positive roles Nigerians are also playing in the economic life of this city which is the fattest growing city in Canada. I confirmed this during my meeting with the cabinet members of this government who told me how Nigerians have impacted positively. It is now evident that good things can actually come out of Africa”.

Admonishing Nigerians in Canada to be patriotic ambassadors in the country, the Spiritual father of Yoruba race worldwide said

“If everyone can be like Canada. We know what country of Canada “man must be kind to one another” Canada is doing this.

“We as Nigerians should always think of how to benefit our country for the goodness of our unborn generations. I appeal to you Nigerians living here never to write off your country.”

“This proclamation doesn’t go to me alone, it goes to all of you from Nigeria. These are the ways we should be portraying Nigeria to the world”

“I hold this honour of proclamation flag exchange dear to my heart and I will carry it with pride”

“In appreciation of this honour, I also bring u a gift of bronze cast which emanated from our land in Africa”.