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| Hon. Samson Nunayon Apata, Awal Abass and chief Patrick Mobee |
The Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), South West Region, has honoured 13-year-old Awal Abass as a "Tourism Rising Icon."
The prestigious award was pronounced on December 6th 2025, during the 1st South West International Tourism Expo 2025, held at the iconic Lagos Airport Hotel, Lagos and was formally presented to him on December 24th, 2025 at the historic palace of Chief Patrick Mobee, the Mobee of Boekoh, Badagry kingdom, Lagos State during a brief visit to Badagry on Wednesday by the National Vice President of ATPN South West Region.
This recognition spotlights not just an individual prodigy but the untapped potential within Nigeria’s local communities to drive cultural tourism.
The award culminated a meticulous selection process initiated ahead of the Expo. Hon. Samson Nunayon Apata, National Vice President of ATPN South West, revealed that delegations were dispatched across the six states in the South West to identify unique destination stories.
"During our preparations for the International Tourism Expo held from December 5 to 6, 2025, our team in Lagos discovered Awal Abass," Apata stated. "His unique style of curating at the Brazilian Barracoon in Badagry, stood out remarkably. He was duly nominated as the Youngest Tourism Icon, emerged the winner, and we are here today to officially present his well-deserved award."
The presentation was made by the royal host, Chief Patrick Mobee, who linked Abass's achievement directly to the power of education. In his address, Chief Mobee championed academic investment, stating, "This young boy has been able to achieve this because of the education he has... If he had not gone to school, he wouldn't be able to do what he did. I know some older than him at the destination who can't do what he did."
His words underscored a vital message: that formal learning is a critical foundation for innovating and promoting Nigeria’s heritage effectively.
The newly crowned icon, Awal Abass, expressed profound gratitude to the ATPN South West for the honour. In his acceptance, he assured stakeholders of his unwavering commitment to leveraging his newfound platform.
Abass pledged to "put his best in tourism promotion in Badagry and in Lagos State," signalling the dawn of a fresh, energetic voice in Nigeria’s tourism sector. This event marks a significant moment for Nigerian tourism, highlighting how nurturing young talent and combining local knowledge with education can create powerful ambassadors for the nation’s cultural and historical treasures.