"HELP US BRING OUR PEOPLE BACK HOME" - SAYS OONI OF IFE AS HE RECEIVES NIGERIA'S AMBASSADOR DESIGNATE TO JAMAICA AT THE ILE OODUA, HIS PALACE

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has appealed to the Nigeria's Ambassador Designate to Jamaica, Belize, Haiti and Dominica Republic, Dr. Maureen Taamuno, to help reunite those of black descent scattered across the Caribbean with their kinsmen in Nigeria.

Ooni Ogunwusi who is the co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, made the call on Thursday, why playing host to Dr. Maureen at his Ile Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife.

The Ooni explained that Nigerians, particularly the Yoruba race have a lot in common with those in the Caribbean, as most of them were transported to that part of the world during the days of slavery after which they naturalized to become citizens of those countries. "Our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean need us so much just as we need need them too. Wanting them back does not necessarily mean they should leave the Caribbean and start living with us permanently but there are lots of what we can do together in terms of trade and cultural exchange.

"While considering these responsibilities, I am happy to know that our good daughter, the ambassador is a cultured scholar who is prepared to do us proud. She understands the terrain and I'm sure about her ability to perform optimally." The Ooni said.

Earlier in her address, the Ambassador Designate revealed that her courtesy visit was beyond being ceremonial but a channel to further have first-hand information about the prestigious Yoruba culture.

"What I am seeing here is so massive and I am so overwhelmed by the display of culture. The only time I saw something like this was on television and I am impressed to find out that they exist in real life here in Ile-Ife, the Source of mankind.

"One of the challenges in our quest to unite Nigerians with those in the Caribbean is the unavailability of direct flight, we had to go through some countries which is unusually stressful and expensive. However, I am glad to inform you that the impediment has been removed as we now have direct flights from here to that part of the world.

"We already have Nigerians doing well in the Caribbean, in fact the Nigerian-Jamaican president is a Yoruba man and a host of others." Dr. Maureen stated.

The Amanyanabo of Bolo kingdom in Rivers state, King Micah Frank Jp. was among top dignitaries was in the Ambassador Designate's entourage.

The Ambassador and her team were later led by the Ooni's traditional Aide called 'Emese' to visit the Adire Oodua Textile hub at Ife Grand Resort owned by Ooni Ogunwusi, where she was received by the CEO Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, during which she interacted with young trainees who are beneficiaries of the free Adire Training Scheme sponsored by the Ooni of Ife.

Ambassador Tamuno who could not hide her joy, did a quick workshop on batik where she was shown and taught how wax resistant batik Adire is being made.

The CEO further engaged the Ambassador about the need for export channels to be opened with Jamaica and Ile Ife to enable increase in production capacity to which the ambassador pledged her support.

Earlier, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 2nd Division, Ibadan, Major General G.U. Chibuisi, equally paid a courtesy visit to the Ooni, saying he was at the 'Ile Oodua' to seek royal blessings from the foremost African monarch upon his resumption as the head of the Military apparatus in the Southwest part of the country.