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The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, would be the keynote speaker at this year’s Commonwealth Africa Summit and Oxford University, British Museum and the Memorial Gate to honour Africans who died during the 2nd world war.
The event will hold in the United Kingdom and it will form part of the king’s two-week visit to the UK.
According to Alhaji Rotimi Osobemekun, Director of the UK based Ooni Of Ife Global Outreach(OIGO), the visit fixed for March 12 to March 26, will afford Oodua descendants, Nigerians and Africans residing in the UK to have direct physical access to the Ooni.
He said the Grand Finale Gala Night would also create the avenue for the foremost monarch to involve the people in his global Peace and Unity Project aimed at strengthening the co-existence among the various peoples of Africa.
In a press release issued on Monday, Osobemekun urged other African leaders to emulate Ooni Ogunwusi who does not live any stone unturned when it comes to promotion of African culture believed to be the best in the world.
Meanwhile, Ooni Ogunwusi has described his invitation to the coomonwealth event as a deserved honour for the African Monarchy system which he promised to use as a great opportunity to touch on the issues concerning peace, unity and culture of the African people.
In an interview at his Ile Oodua palace in Ile Ife, the Ooni said: “Am happy to announce to the Yoruba and Black community worldwide that I will be coming to the UK on a two weeks visit to meet various Yoruba stakeholders to further promote our heritage, culture and tradition.
“This will most importantly solidify the peace movement that is being preached in Nigeria and the world that all of us should together work for the greatness of Africa and bless the mankind”.
On Friday March 24, the Ooni will meet with descendants of Oduduwa and the Black race at Arora Hall of Intercontinental hotel, London.
Osobemekum, whose group is organising the meeting, then urged black Africans in the UK to be part of the meeting.
“The hallmark of the historical visit is the Grand celebratory Royal dinner and the maiden Ojaja II Global Heritage Award, planned by the Ooni of Ife Global Outreach (OIGO). Which is billed to hold on the 24th of March 2017 at Arora Ballroom, Intercontinental Hotel, 02 London, SE10 0TW” he said.
He added that tickets can be bought online at: www.ooniofifego.com/buy-tickets, and “for further information, people should contact UK: 07448 164 465 & 07578 373 799 or Nigeria: 08178689118”.