By Seyi Aderemi
The 11th Annual London Political Summit and Awards (LPSA) 2026 continued its celebration of outstanding leadership with the presentation of awards to distinguished traditional rulers, business executives, entrepreneurs, professionals and community champions whose contributions span economic development, public service, education, diplomacy and community advancement.
Following the posthumous presentation of the Raila–Uhuru Africa Peace Accord Award to the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga and the LPSA Africa President of the Year 2026 Award to His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, the ceremony proceeded to honour other distinguished personalities for their contributions to society.
HRH Oba Ambassador Dr. Olusegun Aderemi JP played a prominent role in presenting several awards, supported by HRM Obonganwan Marie Erete. Additional presentations were made by the High Commissioner of The Gambia to the United Kingdom, Her Excellency Dr. Fatou Bensouda, alongside Summit Chair Professor Kishan Devani BEM.
Recognising Distinguished Business, Professional and Community Leaders
Among the distinguished award recipients recognised during the ceremony were:
- Chief Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun (IBD Dende) — Chairman/CEO, IBD Group International.
- Mr. David Smith — Chief Executive Officer, British Africa Consulting UK.
- Comdt. Dr. Alistair Soyode — Founder/CEO, Ben Television London/Africa Network.
- Mrs. Adebisi Adebayo — BBC.
- Dr. Mrs. Adeola Adeleye Fasubaa — Director-General, Ekiti State Diaspora Relations Office.
- Dr. Anna Vanderpuye — CEO/Director, INGO Third Sector Resource Ltd and African Business Roundtable, UK Chapter.
- Mr. Joel Popoola — Chair, Africa Group, Institute of Directors (IoD).
- Professor Chris Imafidon OBE — Chair, Board of Directors, Excellence in Education (EIE), University of Cambridge.
- Dr. Clinton Liu, PhD — Founder and CEO, MCG Group, UK/Canada.
- Mr. Kingsley Omokhuale — Chairman, Methodist Boys High School Lagos Old Boys Association (MBHSOBA), UK/Europe.
- CLLR ROSALINE OGUNRO — THE WORSHIPFUL MAYOR OF ISLINGTON.
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H.E. AMBASSADOR SABAH ZITA OKAIKOI BENSON — HIGH COMMISSIONER OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA TO THE UNITED KINGDOM
The awards celebrated the recipients’ respective professional, entrepreneurial, institutional and community contributions, reflecting the Summit’s commitment to recognising leadership beyond conventional political office.
Further honours were presented to business and entrepreneurial leaders by Her Excellency Dr. Fatou Bensouda, supported by Summit Chair Professor Kishan Devani BEM. The recipients included:
- Mr. Omar Hussain — Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director, Ilmora Holdings UK.
- Mr. Ahmed Abdelfatah — Managing Director, Study Now UK.
- Dr. Ashraf Abdelfatah — Chief Executive Officer, Platinum Education Services UK.
- Ms. Liz Joseph — Director, Cirble LLC.
The breadth of the award categories underscored the Summit’s recognition of the important roles played by entrepreneurs, business executives, professionals, traditional institutions and community advocates in promoting economic opportunity, social progress and international cooperation.
Gambian High Commissioner Named Commonwealth Diplomat of the Year 2026
A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of the LPSA Commonwealth Diplomat of the Year 2026 Award to Her Excellency Dr. Fatou Bensouda, High Commissioner of The Gambia to the United Kingdom.
The award was presented by Summit Chair Professor Kishan Devani BEM, supported by the Worshipful Mayor of the London Borough of Islington, Councillor Rosaline Ogunro; Deputy High Commissioner of Kenya, Ambassador Irene Maswan; and Summit Co-Chair Ambassador Dr. Josephine Ojiambo.
The honour recognised the High Commissioner’s diplomatic engagement and contributions associated with peace, justice, equality, international cooperation and constructive international relations.
Her recognition also highlighted the importance of diplomacy in strengthening Commonwealth ties, facilitating trade and investment, and fostering mutual understanding among nations.
Awards of Appreciation to Partners and Community Champions
The formal recognition segment concluded with awards of appreciation to selected dignitaries, partners and community champions whose support has contributed to the Summit’s activities and wider objectives.
Recipients included HRH Oba Ambassador Dr. Olusegun Aderemi JP; HRM Obonganwan Marie Erete; Chief Dr. Clifford Atile; Alhaji Musa M. Jazuli; Mr. Juan Cabrera; Kachi Okezie Esq.; Heritage TV; Voice Magazine; The Nigeria Voice; and other supporters.
The awards acknowledged the value of collective effort in delivering international engagements that bring together political institutions, diplomatic missions, business communities and civil society.
The organisers also expressed appreciation to participating governments, parliamentary hosts, diplomatic representatives, sponsors, partner organisations and individual supporters whose contributions helped make the 2026 programme possible.
Advancing Pan-Africanism and the Principle of Trade for Peace
Beyond the award presentations, the 11th London Political Summit and Awards reaffirmed its broader commitment to Pan-Africanism, democratic governance, peacebuilding and sustainable economic development.
The Summit emphasised that political stability, accountable institutions, inclusive leadership and economic cooperation are mutually reinforcing foundations for long-term prosperity.
Its advocacy for “Trade for Peace” reflects the principle that constructive commercial relationships can create shared interests, strengthen diplomatic engagement, encourage dialogue and foster cooperation between countries and communities.
The programme also highlighted environmental protection and climate resilience as important considerations in development planning, alongside investment, institutional accountability and responsible leadership.
The tribute to the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga gave these discussions added significance. His longstanding commitment to democratic reform, political dialogue and reconciliation remains an important reference point for leaders seeking peaceful solutions to political differences and stronger democratic institutions.
In this regard, LPSA 2026 served both as a commemoration of an influential African statesman and as a renewed call for practical leadership, stronger partnerships and sustained action towards peace and development.
Convener Thanks Participants and Signals Possible African Edition in 2027
In his closing remarks and vote of thanks, Summit Convener Mazi Godson Azu expressed profound appreciation to the dignitaries, government representatives, diplomatic missions, parliamentary hosts, award recipients, partners, sponsors, guests and members of the organising team.
He acknowledged the contributions of Summit Chair Professor Kishan Devani BEM; Summit Co-Chair Ambassador Dr. Josephine Ojiambo; the parliamentary hosts, including the Rt. Hon. Oliver Ryan MP; Mr. Joel Popoola of the IoD Africa Group; Mr. Juan Cabrera of the IoD Natural Resources Group; Ms. Julie Ojiambo; gala host Ms. Rosé Graham; participating diplomatic missions; government delegations from Nigeria and other African countries; traditional rulers; business leaders; community champions; and all those who contributed to the three-day programme.
Mazi Azu reiterated the Summit’s commitment to democratic peace, responsible governance, trade and investment, environmental sustainability, institutional accountability and constructive international engagement.
Looking ahead, he disclosed that the proposed 12th Annual London Political Summit and Awards in 2027 could be complemented by an African edition in Kenya, subject to further consultations, planning and confirmation with relevant partners and stakeholders.
If realised, the initiative would extend the Summit’s engagement beyond London, creating further opportunities to connect African political institutions, diplomatic communities, businesses and development partners.
It would also provide a platform for deeper discussions on Pan-Africanism, democratic governance, peacebuilding, trade, investment and the enduring legacy of Raila Odinga within the continent he served and sought to unite.
BookAidAfrica UK and Benue State Government Sign MoU for Donation of Five Containers of Academic Books
One of the evening’s most significant highlights was the special book donation and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) presentation between LPSA partners, BookAidAfrica UK and the Benue State Government, for the donation of five containers of academic books to support school libraries across Benue State, Nigeria.
The presentation was conducted by Professor Mrs. Elewachi Okike, Chief Executive Officer of BookAidAfrica UK, and Hon. Dr. Margaret Adamu, Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Benue State, who represented the Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.
The initiative represents an important step towards strengthening educational resources, improving access to academic literature and supporting a stronger reading culture among pupils and students in Benue State. By providing books for school libraries, the partnership seeks to support teaching and learning while expanding opportunities for knowledge acquisition and academic development.
The MoU presentation also demonstrated the practical value of international partnerships in addressing local development priorities. It highlighted how collaboration between charitable organisations, international partners and state governments can help mobilise resources and translate shared commitments into tangible benefits for educational institutions and communities.
The initiative aligned with the Summit’s broader commitment to sustainable development, education, institutional partnerships and inclusive opportunities for young people. It further reinforced the importance of linking international dialogue with practical interventions that improve lives and contribute to Africa’s long-term development.
Through this partnership, BookAidAfrica UK and the Benue State Government reaffirmed the importance of education as a foundation for human capital development, social progress and a more prosperous future.
OSHA UK Recognises Safety Leadership
The closing ceremony also featured a presentation by the Occupational Safety and Health Association UK (OSHA UK), led by Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Uwalaka.
The segment included the induction and investiture of new OSHA UK Safety Ambassadors, with the High Commissioner of The Gambia and the Governors of Benue and Sokoto States named among those honoured, according to the organisers.
The presentation added an occupational safety and health dimension to the Summit’s wider focus on responsible leadership, institutional development and sustainable communities.
The ceremony concluded with a renewed call for stronger partnerships across government, diplomacy, business and civil society to advance peace, prosperity and sustainable development in Africa and beyond.
The 11th London Political Summit and Awards 2026 thus reaffirmed its commitment to celebrating exemplary leadership, strengthening international partnerships and translating the ideals of democratic peace and trade-led cooperation into practical opportunities for Africa’s development.
