The House of Oduduwa under the leadership of Arole Oduduwa’Olofin Adimula Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi CFR Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife has launched a Royal Industrial African Chamber of Commerce with an initiative posthumously named after a progressive business tycoon descendant of Oduduwa, Iyaloja General Abibatu Mogaji, Mother of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria in the bid to strengthen the unity of Africa.

This historic economic landmark was achieved at the 2024 annual Royal African Young Leadership Forum which took place at Oduduwa Hall in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on Saturday, 11th July, 2024 in collaboration with SMEDAN and NEXIM bank.

Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi CFR, Ojaja II with the collaboration of SMEDAN launched a 1 billion Naira fund seedling for Women Owned Businesses (WOMB) named after the late Iyaloja General, Abibatu Mogaji, Mother of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where the Project agreement between SMEDAN and House of Oduduwa was honourably read by the CEO of Women with Balls, Orifunke Lawal who graduated from OAU 7 years ago and also happened to be an awardee.

The Co Chairman, National traditional council of Nigeria and the paramount ruler of Ile-Ife, Ooni Ogunwusi disclosed that Royal African Young leadership Forum was established basically to galvanize unity in Africa where young minds particularly Youths and Women who are making ways legally in all spheres of life across Africa can be honoured and networked thereby creating job opportunities, economic stability, cultural growth and entrepreneurial progressions.

According to the Ooni of Ife, the objective of the forum is to raise people from Grass to Grace and that is why the fourth edition of the event honoured 100 Youths from different countries across the continent of Africa.

The Monarch boldly said the reason why he came to throne is to raise people from Grass to Grace which the African Industrial Chamber of Commerce that was launched will be driving through working with people for the betterment and the future of the entire Africans. Through this forum, I’m unwavering committed to leading young people across Africa to reshape the future of the continent by harnessing their potential to address critical challenges that are deeming the shining light of Africa, ” Ooni said.

The Chief Executive officer of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN), Mr. Charles Odii disclosed that with the way at which RAYLF is growing, it will be the biggest network to drive the economy in our Continent. He, while signing the agreement explained that the purpose of coming together of SMEDAN and RAYLF is to be a part of the Royal Africa Industrial Chamber through formalizing a partnership that will establish Women Owned Micro Businesses Project which it was envisioned by His Majesty in order to fund, mentor, and support female entrepreneurs with access to local regional and global markets.

A part of the agreement reads ” This partnership underscores our commitment to fostering economic growth, empowerment and sustainable development for female entrepreneurs in Nigeria.