Gov Oyebanji bags tourism excellence award in South Africa

Gov Oyebanji  bags tourism excellence award in South Africa

Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti has been conferred with the Women African Tourism Board
(WATB) Iconic Award for excellence in tourism and economic transformation of the state.

Oyebanji was honoured at the 2025 sixth annual Iconic Global Summit and Honours held at Sandton’s Capital on the Park Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The event was convened by Iconic International Holdings in partnership with WATB.

The summit brought together continental leaders, diplomats, policymakers, cultural icons, and development institutions committed to advancing “The Africa We Want – Everyone’s Responsibility.”

Speaking at the ceremony, the President of WATB, Amb. Moleboheng Matli, said that “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.

“Our mandate at WATB extends far beyond tourism—we champion economic transformation that empowers women, youth, and communities across borders,” Matli said.

According to her, the Iconic Global Summit & Honours is a platform for action, not rhetoric.

“Africa will rise because we are choosing to rise together,” said the WATB President.

The Convener, Dr Temisan O. Louis, President of Iconic International Holdings, stated:

“The Iconic Global Summit & 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.

“As convener, I affirm that this annual gathering will continue to deepen Africa’s economic integration, shape continental diplomacy, and open pathways for women, youth, business, and creative industry leaders.

“Africa’s future depends on decisive, collective, and immediate action,” he said.

In attendance were senior diplomats representing the Democratic Republic of Congo, Belgium, Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia, reinforcing Africa’s commitment to multilateral cooperation.

The WATB Iconic Awards, celebrated transformational leadership, governance excellence, cultural preservation, and economic innovation.Other award winners included former Chairperson of African Union Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma who received
‘Women in Politics and Pan-African Leadership award.

Others are Mrs Neo Masisi, former First Lady of Botswana with the Special Award for Public Service Leadership.

Also, the late Zimbabwean singer, Oliver Mtukudzi, also received posthumous award, while Dr Jane Mufamadi, CEO freedom Park and Heritage Site, bagged
WATB Icon of Africa Award for Preservation of Culture and Heritage Pride.

Matli said: “Our mission is to drive Africa’s tourism and creative sectors into globally competitive engines of development, grounded in policy alignment, innovation, and women-led leadership. The 2025 Summit is only the beginning of a continental movement that will redefine Africa’s place in the world.”

The Summit reaffirmed several priorities essential for Africa’s socio-economic advancement:
• Operationalising key G20 resolutions to strengthen Africa’s global economic participation.
• Positioning tourism as a strategic catalyst for economic diversification, integrating infrastructure, agriculture, fashion, heritage, and creative industries.
• Enhancing youth employment and enterprise growth through AfCFTA-aligned systems.
• Accelerating regulatory harmonisation to improve ease of doing business and mobility across African states.(www.amatropics.com)