By Onyekachi Victoria Philip
From Nigeria to the Caribbean, North America, East Africa and beyond, these distinguished personalities represent different fields, backgrounds and experiences, yet share a common connection to the IPADA and Motherland Beckons vision, strengthening Africa’s relationship with its people, heritage, diaspora and global partners.
IPADA, meaning “The Return” in Yoruba, was created as a platform for reconnection, cultural exchange, tourism, investment and global collaboration. Its wider network brings together entrepreneurs, educators, royalty, investors, strategists, cultural advocates and diaspora leaders who each contribute a different dimension to the idea of Africa as a destination, a heritage and a partner in global development.
Meet Otunba Wanle Akinboboye — The Tourism Visionary Behind Motherland Beckons and IPADA
Otunba Wanle Akinboboye is a Nigerian tourism entrepreneur, hospitality investor, cultural advocate and destination developer whose work has placed African tourism, heritage and diaspora reconnection at the centre of his decades-long career.
He is the Founder of IPADA Initiatives and Founder and President of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, the African-themed hospitality brand that grew from his vision of combining nature, culture, hospitality and tourism into immersive African experiences. His wider Motherland Beckons movement was established to encourage Africans in the diaspora and people of African descent to reconnect with Africa through tourism, culture, entertainment, heritage and investment.
Akinboboye’s philosophy goes beyond building resorts. His approach is to transform Africa’s natural and cultural resources into destinations capable of generating economic value, attracting visitors and creating opportunities for local communities.
Through Motherland Beckons and IPADA, that philosophy has developed into a broader Africa–Diaspora movement. The initiative promotes the idea that tourism can become a bridge between Africa and its global family, creating opportunities for people to return, rediscover their roots, build relationships and explore investment possibilities.
His influence extends into different parts of Nigeria and beyond, with tourism and destination-development projects connected to several African locations.
At the heart of his work is one powerful idea which is, Africa should not only welcome the world; Africa should reconnect with its own people around the world.
Meet Ms. Coralita Yard — The Barbadian Voice Connecting the Caribbean to Africa
Ms. Coralita Yard is a Barbadian businesswoman, entrepreneur, mother, grandmother and advocate for African advancement and gender equality.
She has built a reputation around entrepreneurship and social progress while championing stronger relationships between Africa and the Caribbean. A 2025 Africa Growth Summit profile identifies her as the Founder/CEO of Korvana and describes her as Vice President of IPADA Motherland Beckons for the Caribbean.
Within the official IPADA structure, she is listed as Vice President, African Union 6th Region, reflecting the movement’s focus on people of African descent outside the continent.
Her personal story gives even greater meaning to her role. During an IPADA rite-of-return ceremony in Nigeria, Coralita Yard was symbolically reintegrated into the Motherland and received the Igbo name Mmeseomachi, meaning “the goodness of God.” She had previously spent months living in Nigeria and spoke about her long-held desire to return to Africa.
Meet Manal Al-Ansi, MAT, Esq. — The Attorney and Education Strategist Building Global Diaspora Connections
Manal Al-Ansi, MAT, Esq. is an attorney, educator, executive consultant and diaspora-development strategist whose career spans education, law, government, policy and organisational transformation.
She is the Founder of Diaspora District, a platform designed to bring together people and institutions across education, business, government, entrepreneurship and the diaspora to develop meaningful global partnerships.
Her professional background includes teaching at K–12, undergraduate, graduate and law-school levels, practising as a barred attorney and working across levels of the United States government. She now advises government and organisational leaders internationally on policy, leadership and organisational transformation.
Her work connects strongly with the educational and intellectual dimensions of the Africa–Diaspora relationship.
Through Diaspora District, Al-Ansi has worked to create spaces where educators, policymakers, innovators, business leaders and members of the diaspora can exchange knowledge and build practical partnerships.
She has also championed the establishment of Global Diaspora Day on July 25, advocating for a globally recognised occasion that can strengthen identity, collaboration and belonging among diaspora communities.
Her contribution to the wider IPADA vision lies in building the bridges through which diaspora relationships can become education, leadership, collaboration and long-term development.
Meet H.E. Nyakan June — The Kenyan Transformation Strategist and Former Presidential Aspirant
Her Excellency Nyakan June is a Kenyan transformation and innovation strategist, entrepreneur, women’s empowerment advocate and former independent presidential aspirant.
She has 27 years of experience in strategy, transformation and innovation, working across public and private sectors. She is identified as the Global CEO of Timeless Women of Wonder Africa, leads Timeless Dynamic Services Ltd, and chairs the Global Innovation Society of Kenya. She is also associated with Group 7 Investments and has hosted major African leadership and development conferences.
Her work has consistently focused on Africa’s ability to transform its own potential into global influence.
Through Timeless Women of Wonder, she promotes women’s leadership, enterprise, empowerment, networking and social transformation. Her broader philosophy places women, young people, enterprise, technology and industry at the centre of Africa’s economic and social progress.
June previously ran as an independent presidential aspirant in Kenya, bringing her development philosophy into the political arena. Her public profile today continues to emphasise African prosperity, inclusive transformation and stronger continental collaboration.
Her place within the wider IPADA network reflects the political, economic and leadership dimension of Africa’s transformation ,with women and enterprise at the centre of the conversation.
Meet Queen Aruk II — The Royal Custodian of Efik Heritage and Humanitarian Advocate
Her Royal Majesty Obonganwan Marie Ikpeme Erete, Queen Aruk II, is a Nigerian royal, lawyer, humanitarian and cultural preservation advocate from Eniong Abatim in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Her professional journey extends beyond traditional royalty. She has a legal and business background and has spent years involved in humanitarian and community-development activities, including women’s empowerment and initiatives supporting vulnerable communities.
At the 2025 IPADA Initiatives Celebration, Queen Aruk II brought the richness of Cross River’s royal and cultural heritage to the international gathering. Her delegation included members of the royal household and cultural performers, creating a strong representation of Efik tradition.
She presented elements of Efik culture, including the traditional Nkuho/fattening-room heritage, demonstrating how cultural traditions can be preserved while also becoming part of meaningful cultural tourism experiences.
Her importance to IPADA became even more symbolic during the rite-of-return ceremony, where she participated in welcoming women of African descent from the Americas back into the cultural embrace of Africa.
Meet David D’Errico — The Sports and Cultural Travel Connector
David D’Errico brings an international sports, travel, entertainment and cultural-experience perspective to the wider Motherland Beckons/IPADA network.
He is associated with IAM360 Sports Travel/IAM360 Agency, a platform focused on sports travel, major sporting events, concerts, cultural experiences and international fan engagement. His professional material also connects IAM360 with Motherland Beckons and IPADA.
D’Errico’s work is significant because global tourism is not limited to beaches, hotels or traditional sightseeing. Sports, entertainment, concerts and major international events have become powerful reasons for people to travel, experience new cultures and form relationships across borders.
His involvement therefore adds an international sports-tourism and experiential-travel dimension to the Motherland Beckons vision.
Meet Mohammed Fazzani — The Intercontinental Aviation Investor Exploring Africa’s Tourism Potential
Mohammed Fazzani is identified in Nigerian reports as an intercontinental aviation investor and an investor working alongside Otunba Wanle Akinboboye in tourism and destination-development discussions.
In July 2026, Fazzani joined Akinboboye’s 14-member investment and technical delegation to Ekiti State, where the team assessed tourism assets, investment opportunities, hospitality potential and infrastructure. The delegation visited sites including Ikogosi Warm Springs, Ekiti Airport, Fajuyi Memorial Park and Arinta Waterfall.
His presence is particularly important because aviation and tourism are naturally connected. International destinations require accessibility, mobility and efficient connections if tourism investment is to grow at scale.
Fazzani’s participation in the Ekiti assessment demonstrates the type of cross-sector thinking behind Akinboboye’s destination-development approach,bringing together aviation, investment, tourism, technical expertise and infrastructure.
He represents the investment and aviation dimension of the wider African tourism ecosystem.
Meet Hanane Ait-Toughi — A Member of the Wider IPADA Network
Hanane Ait-Toughi is among the names associated with the wider group of international personalities being brought into the IPADA/Motherland Beckons network.
One Movement, Many Fields, One Shared Connection
From tourism and hospitality to aviation, law, education, entrepreneurship, royalty, women’s empowerment, sports travel and cultural preservation, the personalities connected to IPADA demonstrate the breadth of the movement.
Otunba Wanle Akinboboye provides the tourism and destination-development vision.
Coralita Yard carries the Caribbean and African-diaspora connection.
Manal Al-Ansi brings education, law, policy and diaspora collaboration.
H.E. Nyakan June represents African transformation, enterprise, innovation and women’s leadership.
Queen Aruk II brings royalty, heritage, humanitarianism and cultural preservation.
David D’Errico brings sports, entertainment and international travel experiences.
Mohammed Fazzani contributes an aviation and investment perspective.
And many more yet to mention in next phase
Together, they demonstrate that IPADA is not built around one profession, one country or one idea. It is a meeting point for people whose different strengths can contribute to one larger objective: reconnecting Africa with its global family and positioning the continent as a place of culture, opportunity, investment, tourism and shared identity.