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The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi(Ojaja II) is partnering with tourism investors in Canada to build a standard mobile Museum of African arts with a view to showcasing the cultural and economic potentials of the black race to the world.
A statement by the Director, Media & Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Moses Olafare, said the agreement was reached when the monarch hosted a group of black Africans and Caribbeans who are top government functionaries in the city of Brampton,Ontario, Canada.
According to the statement, Ooni stated that if people can see one another as one big family, sound of wars in the world will reduce drastically.
His words: “If the world can invest in our origination, there may not be a need to invest in guns and nuclear weapons again because the history of our origination will make us to see ourselves as one family. Setting up of a mobile museum to showcase Africa to the world is my global vision. And I am ready to partner with the city of Brampton and with you all as my fellow Africans.
“As an economic advantage, I already have loads of artworks in my palace at Ile-Ife, Nigeria which I intend to circulate around the world. This to me is a way of showcasing our economic values to the world through cultural promotion.
“The biggest diamond in the world called ‘Osupa Ijio” was taken from my kingdom 400 years ago and it is being kept in Europe till date and being used for their own development. So, what you have proposed to me this evening is laudable, it is in line with our goal and we are ready for the partnership.”
The monarch, while expressing his appreciation for the warm reception and great hospitality accorded him in Brampton and Toronto, admonished black people all over Canada to always rally themselves as one big family, assuring them of his fatherly role in the unity and progress of the black race.
“We black people must find a rallying point to achieve greatness in this world.
“Thank you so much for the honour and warm reception accorded me and my entourage for the past one week that we have been with you. You have indeed given me reasons to always look after you as my children in diaspora. I will find time to come back again to Brampton and Canada, and I will collaborate with you on a mission to move Africa forward.
“Let us all continue to love one another. Looking at my brother from Ghana here, looking at you my brothers and sisters from the Caribbeans calling me your father gives me the joy of origination. I can easily feel strong energy of a father in the midst of his children. This is truly African and that is why I don’t want to go. But I will always be with you in spirit”. Ooni stated.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Councilor Charmaine Williams of the Brampton City Council said the project as proposed will cost 250 million Canadian dollars with an equity of 25 million Canadian dollars, saying it will be the biggest African arts museum in the world and will serve as a major rallying point for the black people all over the world.
“Brampton is going to be the hub for the Africans and Caribbeans in diaspora. The museum will show the world the beauty of Africa. It’s going to be a huge hub located in Brampton.” Williams said.
Sophia Brown-Ramsey of the Black Community Action Network(BCAN) praised Ooni for his leadership and relentless efforts to foster unity among black people across the world.
“Our king left the comfort zone of his kingdom to come to our home here in Canada and since our king has come to our home, we must honour him and that’s what we are doing tonight.
“We must work together with him to move our race forward. We thank Your Majesty for your leadership, we thank you for your selfless efforts to unite all of us and we we thank you for being with us in Canada”. Brown-Ramsey said.
Dr. Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman parliamentarian, who had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the king described the royal visit as a good thing for the eople of Canada.
The 82 year old Grenadian-Canadian administrator promised to join the king in his quest for the unity and progress of black race worldwide.
Ooni Ogunwusi and his entourage including the Queen, Olori Naomi Ogunwusi(Yeyeluwa) had on Wednesday August 7 2019 arrived in Toronto for a 10-day visit.
While in Canada, the Ooni was hosted to a proclamation day by the Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown, who honoured him with the City key and flag.
Ooni gave a keynote speech at the 2019 edition of African Business Forum. He chaired the maiden edition of the Imperial Awards and attended the Yoruba cultural nightand visited the hospital for sick Children, known as SickKids, a pediatric teaching hospital of University of Toronto where together with Esther Ajayi of Esther Ajayi Foundation held talks with the management of the hospital and SickKids Foundation for support in eradicating sickle cell anaemia in Africa.
The monarch also hosted a number of international business delegations including Triple Five Group, a conglomerate based in Edmonton, which specializes in entertainment, tourism, hotels, real estate and banks, led by its Chairman Nadal Ghermezian. He equally hosted Gurmeet Bhamrah, President of Bombay Sports Co. Ltd and Global T20 Canada who visited alongside his wife, children and management team to seek his spiritual blessings.
On the monarch’s entourage are Zaki of Arigidi Akoko, Oba Yisa Olanipekun; Oloba of Oba-Ile, Oba Adekunle Oyeyemi; Adagba of Iyanfoworogi-Ife, Oba Oladele and President of Esther Ajayi Foundation, Rev. Esther Ajayi among others.