The Arole Oduduwa, Olofin Adimula, Ooni of Ife, Ooni Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has congratulated businessman and investor, John Olajide, who recently emerged as the Chairman of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA).

Established in 1993 to promote business and investment between the United States and the nations of Africa, CCA is a leading U.S. business association focused solely on connecting business interests in Africa.

Olajide’s appointment will take effect from January 1, 2024, as he will replace Dr. Jeffrey L. Sturchio, whose tenure will elapse on December 31, 2023.

Olajide, who is the current vice president of CCA, was voted for amidst prominent contestants who jostled with him.

Ooni in a statement disclosed that Olajide is a worthy son of Oduduwa who hails from Ekiti State but is domiciled in the United States of America and doing Nigeria proud in the diaspora with his innovative ideas as an entrepreneur, investor, care-at-home innovator, civic leader, global community builder and philanthropist.

The Ooni however noted that it’s essential to congratulate him on such a feat, as it is a win for Nigeria and Africa to have its youth emerge the new President of the CCA.

“It is a thing of pride to have our son emerge as the new board chair of the CCA Olajide’s emergence will further foster deepen ties with Africa and Nigeria as a whole and his wealth of knowledge as the current Vice President will allow him to bring his knowledge on Africa to favour Africa and create more business and investment opportunities.”

Oba Ogunwusi further said: “As CCA Chairman, Olajide is saddled with the pivotal role in guiding CCA’s mission and initiatives and will undoubtedly steer CCA toward new heights in growing its membership, serving CCA member companies and other stakeholders, and enhancing trade, investment, and business partnerships between the United States and African nations. His emergence will have a meaningful impact on trade and investment opportunities between the U.S. and Africa. I am confident that CCA will be in good hands with John Olajide as the new Chairman. His broad-based experience and impressive accomplishments will serve CCA well in his new role.

“With his emergence and assuming office next year, we are sure he will facilitate more opportunities for Nigeria and Africa most especially in the areas of agribusiness, energy, finance, health, ICT, infrastructure, security, tourism and trade facilitation.”

While thanking the Ooni of Ife for his kind words and support on his historic emergence as elected Board Chairman of CCA, Mr. Olajide expressed his enthusiasm as the baton of CCA Board Chair passes to him from DrSturchio at the beginning of 2024. “I am honoured to take on the responsibility of Chairman of the Board at Corporate Council on Africa, I look forward to continuing to collaborate with Jeff and to working with all the members of the CCA Board of Directors as well as with the remarkable team at CCA, U.S. and African government and private sector leaders, and other stakeholders to accelerate economic development, foster transformative partnerships between the U.S. and Africa, and improve the lives of people both here in the U.S. and across the continent.”