The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, paid a seven-day working visit to Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, to discuss economic relationship.
To foster bilateral relationships, cultural exchange and promotion of peace and stability, the Arole Oduduwa, Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II in continuation of his parley with world leaders across the continent has visited the Republic of Uganda on the invitation of President Yoweri Museveni and his wife Janet Museveni.
Aside from strengthening bilateral relationships among
African countries, the visit was also in commemoration of President Museveni’s
wedding anniversary and vow renewal in his hometown; Rukungiri, Uganda.
The monarch who congratulated the President and his wife,
spoke with the Ugandan Leader on the need to foster more trade and business
relationship between Nigeria and Uganda, while making a case for more
investment, need for economic stability across Africa.
He however underscored the need for royal institutions
across Africa to bridge the gap between the populace and the government. He
also laid emphasis on traditional rulers acting as catalysts for change
enhancing sociocultural development and economic emancipation within their
domain.
He said: “As a traditional leader and the progenitor of the
Oduduwa race, it is essential to speak on the need for peace and economic
liberation among Africans. As leaders, we need to prioritise our people’s
welfare and also have it in mind that there can never be a leader without
followers. This is why I want to thank President Museveni for prioritising his
people and speaking in one voice with other African leaders on issues affecting
the growth of Africa. Africa must rise to the task ahead and maintain a stable economy.
As leaders, we must promote more trade activities among ourselves and also give
room for more investment to drive the change so Africa can be self-sufficient
in all ways.”
He also noted that 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.”
Ooni further harped on Global Peace Agenda and his Ojaja
Pan-African Business Initiatives currently extending its tentacles outside the
shores of Nigeria and his pursuit of welfare for people of African descent,
unification of African people globally for peace and economic stability. He is
also ready to partner with the Ugandan government to invest more in sectors
that need to be revitalised. “I am here to let you know that the Ojaja Pan
African initiative is ready to invest in Uganda to further enhance social,
cultural and economic ties amongst Africans. We Africans are so close to one
another but very far in our dealings and relationships. Nobody will help us
bond and bind together but we Africans. Hence the need for us to keep using
what connects us much more than what divides us to foster peace and continental
economic enhancement.”
On his part, President Museveni who appreciated his Imperial
Majesty for honouring his invitation and disclosed his readiness to work with
him on the need to drive more trade and investment opportunities to Uganda
said, “I am pleased to have you here your majesty. I am a great admirer of what
you have been doing, especially women and youth empowerment and your promotion
of culture and trade across Africa and outside the continent. We Ugandans are
open to more partnerships. We are open to synergising with you and the Nigerian
people. We are brothers and we are bound by one ideology as Africans, so we
must always remain one regardless of anything that happens. My door is always
open for you and your team. We will work with you and ensure a robust bilateral
relationship between Uganda and Nigeria.”