Ooni’s Delegation Visits the US, Meets California Officials on Strategic Partnership for Ile-Ife Economic Development, Transportation Reform, Others
Published by Sola Akingboye, 23 April 2026
A delegation representing the Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has held strategic engagements with senior officials of the State of California, United States, focusing on transportation reform and broader economic development initiatives for Ile-Ife, the traditional headquarters and cradle of the Oduduwa race worldwide.
Led by Otunba Moses Olafare, Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, the meeting, held on Tuesday at the office of California’s Secretary of Transportation in Sacramento, the capital city of California, as the California delegation was headed by Hon Toks Omishakin, Secretary of Transportation for California.
Other senior California officials attended, including Kimberley E. Erickson, Assistant Secretary on Communications to the Secretary of Transportation; Toks Omishakin and his Senior Advisor on Strategy and Operations; and Dr Bayo Arowolaju, founder of the Bayo Arowolaju Foundation, who flew in from Washington DC to join Otunba Olafare.
The press statement signed by the Senior Media Officer, Ooni’s Palace, Ile-Ife.Sodiq Lawal, further revealed that during discussions, transportation reform in Ile-Ife was the main focus. Olafare conveyed the Ooni’s position, proposing a comprehensive modernisation of the city’s transport system, including plans to gradually phase out commercial motorcycle operations (Okada) and introduce a safer, more regulated tricycle-based system.
He explained that the initiative aims to improve urban mobility, safety, and create a more structured transport framework for residents.
The delegation also sought technical support, policy guidance, and capacity-building assistance from California to support the proposed transition.
Toks Omishakin acknowledged the proposal and expressed readiness for ongoing engagement on transportation development cooperation.
He highlighted that California has maintained long-standing collaborations with Nigeria in transport, environmental management, and infrastructure development, especially through engagements with Lagos State and other institutions.
Omishakin shared that he has visited Nigeria multiple times over the past four years for official partnerships involving the federal and state governments.
These collaborations include working with the Lagos State Government, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Environment, and the Office of Diaspora Affairs, all aimed at strengthening institutional ties and development cooperation.
He also mentioned a recent resolution passed by the California State Assembly, which reinforced ties between California, Lagos State, and the City of Sacramento under a sister-state framework designed to deepen cooperation in trade, mobility, climate action, and cultural exchange.
After the transportation talks, the meeting expanded to broader issues of economic development and international cooperation. The Ooni’s delegation requested that Ile-Ife be considered for similar partnership recognition, citing the city’s existing international relationships, including sister-city arrangements with municipalities in Brazil, particularly Salvador in Bahia State and Rio de Janeiro.
Olafare highlighted Ile-Ife’s historical and cultural significance, noting its growing interest in global partnerships that support economic development, tourism, and infrastructure growth.
Omishakin appreciated the engagement and reaffirmed California’s commitment to ongoing cooperation with Nigeria and African partners. He also pledged continued support for initiatives promoting sustainable development, transportation reform, and international collaboration.
Secretary Omishakin hails from Ile-Ife. A technocrat specialising in transport management and operations, he previously served as Deputy Commissioner (Planning) of Transportation in Tennessee for eight years before being appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019, initially as Director of the state’s transportation agency. In 2022, he was appointed as the Cabinet Secretary of Transportation by Governor Newsom upon his re-election, with an annual budget of 35 billion dollars.
