TORONTO -- He helped lead the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA championship, but it might still seem strange that Masai Ujiri is side-by-side with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his trip to Africa.
In fact, Ujiri鈥檚 clout and star power could be crucial for Trudeau as he attempts to garner support for landing Canada a seat on the powerful United Nations Security Council.
The pair, along with three other ministers, are attending a weekend session of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The support and votes of the 54 African leaders will be critical when the UN decides on the fate of Canada鈥檚 bid in June.
Before becoming a player scout and NBA executive, Ujiri was raised in Nigeria. Outside of the NBA, he鈥檚 lent his support for different business initiatives and charities at home and abroad.
Ujiri had initially planned on travelling to the continent to promote his foundation, Giants of Africa, which uses basketball as a way to educate and connect with African youth.
But he switched up his plans after Trudeau asked him to join his delegation to Africa. But he praised Ujiri鈥檚 work in the region at a press conference on Sunday.
鈥淢asai is doing incredible work in Africa to empower youth to a sport,鈥� he said, adding that the foundation was 鈥渉elping countless young people, including many young women, to reach their full potential.鈥�
When asked about his citizenship status, Ujiri : "I do view myself as a Canadian citizen," as well as a 鈥渟on of Africa.鈥� Although days later, he clarified, saying, and holds a Canadian passport.
When asked about his relationship with Trudeau earlier this weekend, Ujiri had told reporters "I have relationships with leaders here and anyway we can help, anyway I can help, it's a big part of making the world better," He鈥檚 already spoken with Trudeau and about how his role as a basketball ambassador could help the government.
鈥淚 support Canada and I support the prime minister in what he wants to do here,鈥� Ujiri added. 鈥淲e have to figure out on the continent how we give youth an opportunity through sports and I think Canada shows a good example, and maybe we can represent that here in some kind of way.鈥�
The theme of the African Union鈥檚 summit is 鈥淪ilencing the Guns,鈥� as the continent works to reduce conflict and violence as well as promote economic growth.
Ujiri was on hand for Trudeau鈥檚 meet-and-greet with both Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who recently won a Nobel Peace Prize and .
After Trudeau spends three days in Addis Ababa, where the African Union鈥檚 headquarters is located, he鈥檒l travel with Ujiri to Senegal later this week.
Although the prime minister reaching out to Ujiri might seem out of the blue, the two have worked together on a number of projects before.
During the federal election campaign, Ujiri joined Trudeau during a charity campaign event in . And before that, in June, the .
And last April, Ujiri hosted a meeting in Toronto between prominent black business leaders and Trudeau to come up with specialized ways to address different communities.
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