On Thursday, 3rd July 2025, the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) played host to a courtesy visit from the West Africa Students’ Union Parliament (WASUP) at its headquarters.
The delegation, led by Mr. Gyang Moses, WASUP Coordinator, included Mr. Selman Ladium and Ms. Khadijah Baba Musa. They were warmly welcomed by the ICMC team comprising the Registrar, Mr. Babatunde Oyefeso, FICMC; Admin Officer, Mrs. Irene Corson; Head of Communications, Membership & Marketing, Mr. Joshua Adepetu; Exams Officer, Ms. Chisom Udennaka; Records Officer, Mr. George Okoh; and Assistant Admin Officer, Ms. Agnes Umontia.
In his remarks, Mr. Oyefeso expressed heartfelt appreciation for the visit and offered insights into ICMC’s mission and vision. He emphasized the Institute’s pivotal role in promoting peacebuilding, professional mediation, and dispute resolution training over the past 26 years across Nigeria and the West African sub-region. With a membership base exceeding 20,000 trained mediators, he described ICMC as Africa’s leading mediation and peacebuilding institute, committed to developing professionals capable of resolving conflicts, advancing national cohesion, and driving transformation across legal, healthcare, education, corporate, and community sectors.
Responding on behalf of the visiting delegation, Mr. Moses extended his gratitude for the warm reception and lauded the Institute’s longstanding dedication to youth empowerment, peace advocacy, and alternative dispute resolution.
A highlight of the visit was the conferral of the West African Nationalism Leadership Hall of Honor Award on Mr. Babatunde Oyefeso, FICMC, in recognition of his exceptional leadership and impact in youth development and peacebuilding. He was ceremoniously titled West Africa’s Nationalistic Hero of Youth Development.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Oyefeso conveyed deep appreciation for the honour and reaffirmed the central role of young people in sustaining peace. He pledged ICMC’s continued support in nurturing a new generation of skilled peacebuilders across the continent.
Also addressing the gathering, Mrs. Irene Corson encouraged the visitors to explore ICMC’s flagship Mediation Skills Accreditation and Certification Course, which equips participants with practical tools for non-adversarial conflict resolution and leadership in peacebuilding processes.
The visit concluded on an uplifting note with a group photograph, symbolizing the shared commitment to youth leadership and sustainable peace. The occasion ended with the presentation of institutional souvenirs to the WASUP delegation.