{
  "id": 17710714,
  "title": "Ooni Congratulates Reelected Brazilian President, Sultan on 20th Anniversary",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/ooni-congratulates-reelected-brazilian-president-sultan-on-20th",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T00:09:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/11/02/ooni-congratulates-reelected-brazilian-president-sultan-on-20th-anniversary/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, expressed his congratulations to Brazil's President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, on his re-election, viewing it as an opportunity to bolster international collaboration, encourage cultural exchange, and deepen ties between Africa and Brazil. Likewise, the Ooni congratulated Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, on completing two decades of ruling the Sultanate of Sokoto. This congratulatory note, revealed in a statement from the Ooni's Palace, emphasized the importance of maintaining historical and cultural bonds between Africa and Brazil, including opportunities for tourism, education, trade, youth development, and cultural diplomacy.\n\nThe Ooni reiterated the significance of Africa and Brazil's shared heritage, stressing the importance of continued collaboration between traditional institutions, governments, and international organizations to foster cultural understanding and bridge continents. He hoped President Lula's renewed mandate would enable him to further develop Brazil's agenda and enhance Brazil's relationships with African nations. The Ooni also called upon Brazil's parliament to support President Lula with legislation promoting relations with Africa.\n\nDuring his 2023 visit to Brazil, the Ooni called for the unity of African descendants worldwide, urging the Brazilian parliament to recognize National Orisa Day publicly. He emphasized the strength of unity and encouraged the celebration of shared cultural identities, while expressing his hope that the renewed mandate would facilitate Brazil's continued development and strengthen relations between Brazil and African countries.\n\nUpon returning from Brazil, the Ooni was hosted by the Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil, Ambassador Ahmad Muhammed Makarfi, alongside 25 African diplomats. Upon his private meeting with President Lula, the Ooni proclaimed President Lula and his wife as Omo Oduduwa, calling for direct access to Brazil from Nigeria to promote trade, commerce, and cultural exchange. President Lula expressed gratitude for the Ooni's efforts to reunite Afro-Brazilians and Africans worldwide, reiterating his government's commitment to strengthening ties between Brazil and Africa.",
  "summary": "Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has congratulated Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, on his re-election, describing the development as an opportunity",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}