The Ooni of Ife His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan
Ogunwusi Ojaja II, President of Ghana, His
Excellency,Nana Akufo Addo and Former Prime Minister of Barbados Arthur Owen
are expected to join Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, other members of the Royal
Family, Commonwealth Secretary General and other leaders of the Commonwealth as
Special Guest Speakers during the this year's Commonwealth Day Service and
Commonwealth Africa Summit 2017 where "Leveraging our Commonwealth
Heritage for economic development and collective growth" will be at the
top of conversations during summit slated to hold from the 13th – 15th March
2017.
In line with the yearly history of the rich tradition of Commonwealth
celebration which is geared towards the promotion of mutually respectful
cultural values of all member states, Ooni Ogunwusi will be involved in a
number of events to include the Commonwealth Day Service and the Commonwealth
Africa Summit slated to hold from 13th to 15th March 2017 where the African
foremost monarch is expected as a keynote speaker and a Special Guest of Honour
to lay wreath at the Memorial Gate in remembrance of Africans who died in the
2nd world wars.
As the Arole Oduduwa and Spiritual Leader of all Yoruba people at home and
in Diaspora, His Imperial Majesty who will during his 2week visit to the UK
meet with the multitude of Yoruba subjects residing in the country will be
hosted by members of the British Parliament business leaders to discuss
mutually benefits in cultural, economic and educational collaboration and
partnerships.
He will also visit the Old Royal Palace of Queen Elizabeth I at the Hatfield
House where he will decorated as the promoter of African Culture in modern
Europe with a performance of MOREMI stage drama by the Elite Royal College of
Mundon.
Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II will dedicate part of his schedules to meet
with Nigeria High Commission heads, Nigerians-British Mayors(past and present),
Local Councillors, business professionals, the youths who are global players in
their fields of endeavours.
He will also be sitting as the Royal Distinguished Guest of Honour during
the 2017 annual CANUK awards and dinner event aimed at recognising high
achieving Nigerians in the United Kingdom.
The Commonwealth Africa Summit 2017 activities will begin with a wreath
laying service in honour of those who were lost to the 2 world wars and will be
followed by a Service at the Westminster Abbey in the Presence of Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II and other Royals.
Her Majesty will host the Ooni, other Commonwealth leaders and eminent
individuals in attendance at a dinner reception at Marlborough House as part of
the activities to celebrate the Commonwealth Week.
The Summit business activities will begin on Tuesday 14th March with an
Opening Plenary and close with a Dinner on Wednesday 15th March in Westminster.
The 2017 Commonwealth Africa Summit will be attended by government leaders
from across Africa and the Commonwealth in addition to business leaders from
all member states. At the 2017 Commonwealth African Summit, prominent leaders
will deliberate on the theme ‘from Shared Prosperity to Collective Growth’ -
one that promote prosperity and secures Africa’s future. Issues such as energy
and power, Africapitalism, trade and investment, sustainable livelihood, child
rights, counter insurgency and terrorism will be discussed and lasting
solutions proposed.
Other activities lined up to mark the Ooni's 2week from 11th to 25th March
2017 are as follows:
*Special press interview with The Times, Economist and The Guardian
*Meeting with the Mayor of London
*Business Leaders Luncheon with Chambers of commerce leaders
*Meeting with Nigerian Mayors and Councillors(past and present)
*Meeting with Nigerian professionals at the Nigeria High Commission
*Visit to the British Museum to engage in the tour of "The Kingdom of
Ife Archive" and other Artefacts
*Church service with the Head of Church of England - Archbishop of
Canterbury
*Lecture at Oxford University with Oxford African Society
* Meeting with the Traditional priests in Diaspora
*Cultural celebration and Gala receptions with Egbe Omo Oduduwa, Yoruba,
Yoruba Federation Egbe Omo Ile-Ife, and other dynamic cultural groups