The Ooni of Ile Ife, Arole Oodua, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II has endorsed the Atlantic Bond Initiative- ATBONDI a cultural and tourism promotions initiative set to promote strategic cultural, economic and tourism bi lateral relations between Nigeria and Oyotunji African Village, Sheldon, South Carolina, United States of American, the African region and the entire North American. The Ooni a continent, the NASO GROUP-ATBONDI OYOTUNJI Delegate comprising close to 100 participants paid the Ooni of Ile Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, a courtesy visit at His Imperial Majesty’s palace, Oodua Palace in Ile Ife Osun State.
The foremost monarch made his endorsement known when receiving the NASO GROUP-ATBONDI delegation from Oyotunji, South Carolina, U.S.A led by Rotimi Vaughan, the founder of Nigeria Socio-Economic Development Group (NASO) and the Oyotunji Ambassador to Nigeria, with Aare Amodu Oluwanbe the Aare Apo of Oyotunji, who paid the Ooni of Ife, a courtesy visit at his Oodua palace on Thursday, 19th January 2017. The Arole Oodua also indicated to the delegation that he would be attending the Oyotunji-Nigeria National Cultural Heritage Celebration, scheduled to hold this year 2017 in Sheldon, South Carolina, USA.
HRM Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II, the Oloyotunji of Oyotunji African Village, Sheldon, South Carolina, USA the only African village founded in the United Sttaes of America practicing and promoting the Nigerian cultural values in the United States of America and the entire North American continent, has extended a Royal Invitation to His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II as the Special Guest of Honour in the forthcoming Oyotunji-Nigeria National Cultural Heritage Celebration, 2017 packaged by NASO Group-ATBONDI, during which the Ooni would be recognized and decorated with the honour- GRAND AMBASSADOR AND PROMOTER OF THE YORUBA RACE AND CULTURE IN NORTH AMERICA AND DIASPORA.
His Royal Majesty, Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II, the Oloyitunji of Oyotunji, through Ambassador Rotimi Vaughan said the National cultural fiesta which would attract guests from all over Nigeria, United States of America, the African region, and the entire South American continent, would be a landmark cultural, economic and tourism networking event. Ambassador Vaughan stressed that people would during the event experience the power of culture and tourism in reshaping our world, while attaining sustainable economic development, global friendship, cooperation, understanding, peace and unity.
Also to be present at the celebration are the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola and his Lagos counterpart Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Alake of Egbaland, Alaafin of Oyo, Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Akran of Badagry, Oba of Epeland, among other prominent Yorubas.
During the visit, Ambassador Rotimi Vaughan made more emphasis on the activities of the NASO Group and ATBONDI initiated to promote and develop bilateral relations in the areas of trade and commerce, education, tourism, arts, cultural, agriculture, advancing humanity and combating modern day slavery. He made reference to the October 2016 successful and historic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Oyotunji African Village and the Kingdom of Badagry, Lagos State to develop strategic bilateral relations.
Ambassador Vaughan during the visit presented the Ooni with a Royal Message, announcing the physical presence of Oyotunji Village, South Carolina, USA in Nigeria, through the establishment of the new Oyotunji SC Economic, Cultural and Tourism Diplomatic Office in Nigeria, with physical offices to be located in Lagos, Abuja and Osun. The Royal Message also announced Oba Adefunmi II desire that the Ooni play the formal role of the grand royal advocate and promoter of the African culture and heritage worldwide and royal head of the Oyotunji economic, cultural and tourism diplomatic office board and advisory council.
While receiving the delegation, Ambassador Rotimi Vaughan presented to the Ooni Chief Akintunde Ambode, [the senior brother of the Governor of Lagos State], who was conferred with the Honorary Citizenship of Oyotunji African Village South Carolina USA by the Ooni of Ife. Others presented by Vaughan and decorated together with Chief Ambode were Christy Ada Chineke, Bukola Fabeku and Dare Adefuye, all NASO Executives.Funke Ogunfuye another NASO executive was decorated with Oba Adefunmi II declaration of conferment of Oyotunji Chieftaincy title; Yeye Oge Ago-Iwoye of Oyotunji.
The Oloyotunji of Oyotunji Village, His Royal Majesty Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II, Oloyotunji is scheduled to visit Nigeria in February 2017 to pay President Buhari a courtesy visit. During this visit, Ooni of Ife will host Kabiyesi and the NASO Group in Ile-Ife to a grand reception where the itinerary and date of the Oyotunji Nigeria Cultural Heritage Celebration will be formally released and blessed by the Ooni of Ife.