Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has been honoured with the prestigious Women African Tourism Board (WATB) Iconic Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership in tourism development and economic transformation of Ekiti State.

The award was conferred on the Governor at the 2025 Sixth Annual Iconic Global Summit and Honours, held at Capital on the Park Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.

The event that attracted high-level African leaders, diplomats, policymakers, cultural icons, and development institutions from across the continent and beyond.

The summit, convened by Iconic International Holdings, in partnership with the Women African Tourism Board (WATB), was anchored on the theme; The Africa We Want – Everyone’s Responsibility. It underscored the collective role of leadership, innovation, and collaboration in shaping Africa’s future.

Presenting the award, WATB President, Ambassador Moleboheng Matli, described Oyebanji’s recognition as well-deserved, noting that Africa’s true liberation in the 21st century lies in economic empowerment and inclusive development.

“Africa’s liberation in the 21st century is economic. We can no longer discuss development without addressing access, opportunity, inclusion, and the dismantling of structural barriers across trade, creative industries, mobility, and governance,” Matli said.

She explained that WATB’s mission transcends tourism promotion, focusing on economic transformation that empowers women, youth, and communities across borders, adding that the Iconic Global Summit and Honours, is a platform for action, not rhetoric.

Also speaking at the event, the Convener of the Summit and President of Iconic International Holdings, Dr Temisan O. Louis, described the gathering as a defining moment for Africa’s next development phase.

“The Iconic Global Summit and Honours is a defining platform for Africa’s next chapter. Our responsibility is to drive economic cooperation, strategic leadership, and visionary policy that positions Africa as a global powerhouse,” he said.

Louis reaffirmed that the annual summit would continue to strengthen Africa’s economic integration, deepen continental diplomacy, and open new pathways for women, youth, business leaders, and players in the creative industries.

The ceremony witnessed strong diplomatic presence, with senior diplomats from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Belgium, Zimbabwe, Angola, and Namibia, further reinforcing Africa’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and shared prosperity.

The WATB Iconic Awards celebrated transformational leadership across governance, cultural preservation, and economic innovation. Other notable award recipients included; former Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who received the Women in Politics and Pan-African Leadership Award; Mrs Neo Masisi, former First Lady of Botswana, honoured with a Special Award for Public Service Leadership; and the late Zimbabwean music legend, Oliver Mtukudzi, who received a posthumous award.

Also recognised was Dr Jane Mufamadi, Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Park and Heritage Site, who bagged the WATB Icon of Africa Award for Preservation of Culture and Heritage Pride.

Matli reaffirmed WATB’s long-term vision to reposition Africa’s tourism and creative sectors as globally competitive engines of development, driven by policy alignment, innovation, and women-led leadership.

The summit concluded with a reaffirmation of critical priorities for Africa’s socio-economic advancement, including the operationalisation of key G20 resolutions, positioning tourism as a catalyst for economic diversification, enhancing youth employment through AfCFTA-aligned systems, and accelerating regulatory harmonisation to improve the ease of doing business and mobility across African states.

Oyebanji’s recognition in Johannesburg further underscores Ekiti State’s rising profile on the global tourism and development map, reflecting a governance approach that strategically leverages tourism as a driver of sustainable economic growth.

* Wale Ojetimi; Johannesburg, South Africa

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The Assembly recently became the centre of global dialogue, with over 4,000 participants from more than 150 countries: politicians and diplomats, entrepreneurs and cultural figures, writers and scientists, representatives of educational organizations, religious and social movements gathered to discuss the future of humanity.

The central idea of the World Public Assembly was to build a “New World of Conscious Unity,” a world where the main value is man. The main vectors of international dialogue and partnership have been formed.

Award “For Service to Humanity

A Symbol of Gratitude of Nations On the International Day of Peace, September 21, a historic event took place — for the first time, the Public Recognition Award “For Service to Humanity” was presented. Its first laureates are representatives of Russia, Jordan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Angola, India and the United Kingdom.

The awards were presented to: Russian philosopher, writer, public figure Alexandra Ochirova, former Prime Minister of Jordan Adnan Badran, former Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Rashid Alimov, Kazakh composer Tolegen Mukhamedzhanov, public figure Sabena Johannes, Chairman of the Council of the Association of Russian Diplomats Igor Khalevinsky,representative of the Indian National Congress Dalbir Singh, Professor Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia.

These names sounded like a symbol of spiritual leadership and humanism.

“No one in the world can resist united minds,” concluded UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Alexandra Ochirova.

“We must awake as one,” said Madame Sabena Johannes, founder of Afritrack Angola, quoting her “Voice of Reason” Appeal to humanity, which she sent to the Assembly participants.

The Economy of Life: Trust as a Foundation

The current global situation is characterised by a sharp increase in geopolitical, economic and humanitarian challenges. Disunity between states is intensifying, trust deficits are growing, and competition between value systems and development models is intensifying. In these circumstances, the role of public diplomacy, humanitarian cooperation, and public and cultural initiatives that can offer an alternative architecture for peaceful coexistence is of particular importance.

At the WPA discussion platforms devoted to the economic sphere, the main idea was that it is possible to effectively develop economies only by developing trust between people. International partnership must have a humanitarian basis. Experts from different countries agreed that the new model of development is the “economy of life.” “Economics begins with the search for meanings. It is based on a human being,”said Svetozar Darnev, Head of the Russian association Osnova.

The topic of the role of modern media in shaping the new architecture of the world was particularly acute in the discussions.  “Today the cognitive goes against all nations, against spirituality. The media must return the cultural code to us,” said Russian journalist Oleg Yasinsky. Argentine film director Silvana Yarmolyukrecalled the power of cinema, and producer Olga Azhnakina recalled the importance of glorifying creative work.

The experts of the peacekeeping sites discussed the ways to overcome conflicts on the planet.  “When the economy comes first, rather than people, it becomes the cause of all wars,” said Alexander Usanin, professor at the Academy of Geopolitical Problems. Holger Thorsten Schubert, President of the Neutrino Energy Group, emphasized: “Whoever controls energy controls peoples.” But the experts also pointed out that the solution lies in science and technology.

The Second Congress of the World Organization of Writers (WOW) attracted special attention. Writers from more than 60 countries discussed creative issues, translations, book fairs, support for young authors, and more. One of the central places in the discussions was occupied by the use of artificial intelligence. “We can use AI as a tool, but we can’t rely on it. Otherwise, we give up emotionality,” said Aminur Rahman, a poet from Bangladesh.

A special point in the award ceremony was the presentation of the honorary badge “People’s Diplomat” of the SCO Public Diplomacy Center in Uzbekistan. The badge was awarded to Natalia Zabolotskikh, Program Director of the World Public Assembly and coordinator of the “Leader of PublicDiplomacy” Contest.

Agreement in Worldview Reflects Agreement in Actions

An unprecedented number of cooperation agreements were signed on the sidelines of the First World Public Assembly. 71 documents were signed by representatives of Brazil, the Vatican, Germany, Mexico, Turkey, Uruguay and other countries.

Of these, 35 agreements with non-profit organizations representing 16 countries were signed by the World Public Assembly.

The WPA partners signed 36 agreements on the sidelines of a large-scale public forum.

WPA Final Documents

The outcomes of the First World Public Assembly will be four main documents reflecting its spirit.

“We call on peoples, governments, businesses and civil society to abandon the rhetoric of hostility and confrontation,” says the Declaration of the WPA”New World of Conscious Unity.”

“This Declaration proclaims the new goal of humanity — the building of a New World of Conscious Unity, where the happiness of everyone is inextricably linked to the well—being of all,” the Declaration on Happiness states.

“Conscious unity is not a utopia, but a practical choice. The choice we are making today. Together,” the Manifesto of Conscious Unity proclaims.

The Second World Public Assembly will be held in Austria, in Vienna, Secretary General of the World Peoples’ Assembly Andrey Belyaninov said at the closing ceremony of the WPA.

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