Eko Hot Blog reports that His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo (Telade IV), the Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Epe, Lagos state, is set to confer the honourary chieftaincy title of Aare Atunloto of Ilara Kingdom on Mr. Wendell De Landro.
De Landro is the High Commissioner of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to Nigeria.
According to an invitation letter sighted by Eko Hot Blog on Wednesday, the conferment ceremony will take place on Friday, July 14, 2023, at 11am.
The invitation letter
Oba Ogunsanwo will host the event at the Royal Palace of the Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Ilara-Epe, Lagos.
Reception will follow immediately with the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral relations between Ilara-Epe, Lagos State and Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean.
HRM Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, Alara of Ilara Kingdom
The reception will hold at The Native event centre, Odoragunshin, Epe-Ijebu Ode Expressway, Lagos State.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that De Landro is being recognised for his love of Ilara culture.
Since he arrived in Nigeria in 2018, the diplomat has often spoken about his admiration for the Nigerian culture.
The chieftaincy title conferment is also consistent with sustained efforts by Oba Ogunsanwo to boost investment opportunities in Ilara kingdom.
The signing of the MoU on bilateral relations is expected to further the monarch’s goals.
In October 2020, De Landro said his country planned using its steel band music to boost cultural exchange between his country and Nigeria.
He also talked about the commonality between the culture of Trinidad & Tobago and Nigeria.
“Trinidad and Tobago is considered the most heterogeneous island in the Caribbean and can be considered a melting pot when it comes to the cultural and ethnic make-up of its people,” the diplomat said at the time.
“Nigeria, although more homogeneous in its ethnicity, may be considered similar to Trinidad and Tobago due to its cultural diversity with the various tribes here in Nigeria blending into what I just described as a melting pot with every group participating in the cultural practices of the other groups, especially with food and even religious celebrations.
“We have descendants of Africans, Indians, Chinese, Lebanese, Syrians, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and British commonly referred to Trinbagonians living as one.”
In August 2022, De Landro said his southern American country was ready to expand trade with Nigeria.
He noted that Trinidad & Tobago and Nigeria share similarities in rich culture, natural resources which can be properly harnessed and traded for mutual benefits.
Both commonwealth nations have enjoyed bilateral relations for more than 60 years.
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