During his stop at the Essex County Courthouse on Friday afternoon, his Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi spoke of the need for peace. Watch video
NEWARK -- For citizens like Fikayo Ojo, having an African king in the city was a milestone.
"It is a significant thing for the Africans and Nigerians in the area," the 29-year-old from the city said of his Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, the head of Ife, a Yoruba city in Nigeria, who spoke to a crowd Friday afternoon outside the Essex County Courthouse on Market Street.
The king, who is in the region for the Odunde Festival -- a Sunday celebration in Philadelphia to honor African culture -- preached of peace and unity to the crowd of a couple dozen people. He talked of how there were once no boundaries in Africa.
"It has been proven scientifically that everybody, be it white folks, be it black folks ... immigrated out of Africa," he said. "Why should we not all come together as one happy family? ... Why can't we make everything (even)?"
Before making his appearance at the courthouse -- which was met with swarms of people trying to get cellphone photographs of the king -- he stopped by Newark Mayor Ras Baraka's office, County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo said.
The newly-appointed African king got a taste of New York on Friday morning, when he was delayed for the news conference because of traffic, organizers told the crowd. About 30 people waited at least an hour and a half to see the king.
DiVincenzo said having the king in the city was important considering its diverse population, including a "strong Nigerian community."
Some in that community referred to the king Friday as a hero or father. He may also be seen as "a different example of an African," said Akil Kokayi Khalfani, director of the Africana Institute at Essex County College.
"We often don't have African royalties come to the U.S.," he said. "Sometimes people have negative ideas about Africans, so to have him present is very meaningful."
The king, who started as the 51st "Ooni" of his region in December, was greeted at the courthouse by several freeholders and former Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, who at one point teared up during the king's speech.
"Your majesty I must tell you, your citizens of Nigeria that have adopted New Jersey as their home serve you with great honor and distinction," she said, which was followed by a roar of cheers.
Kehinde Omisore, 36, who brought her 2-year-old son Ademola out to see the king, said she was thrilled to see the leader of her hometown.
"This is a huge occasion and a great honor," said Omisore, who was born and raised in Nigeria. "We're just so excited to be out here."
Luke Nozicka may be reached at lnozicka@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @lukenozicka. Find NJ.com on Facebook and Twitter.