Events

Miss FCT crowned face of tourism 2025

Published

1 year ago

April 8, 2025

Queen Sarah Okli, representing the Federal Capital Territory, has won the prestigious Face of Tourism 2025 pageant in Abuja

Miss Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Queen Sarah Okli, has triumphed over ten other contestants to secure the coveted title of Face of Tourism 2025.

The grand finale of the keenly contested beauty pageant unfolded on Saturday night at the Armed Forces Officers Mess, Lungi Barracks, in Abuja.

The glamorous event drew participants from various states across Nigeria, showcasing the diverse beauty and talent within the nation. Ultimately, it was Queen Sarah Okli who impressed the judges most, earning her the prestigious crown.

Joining her in the winners’ circle were Miss Kaduna, Queen Theresa Jonathan, who was crowned Miss Tradition 2025 as the first runner-up, and Miss Enugu, Queen Laura Eze, who took the title of Face of Tourism Ambassador 2025 as the second runner-up. Miss Akwa Ibom, Queen Anita Emmanuel, was also recognised, receiving the title of Face of Tourism North 2025.

The evening was a vibrant affair, attracting key figures from the culture and tourism sectors, alongside showbiz entrepreneurs and heads of corporate bodies, all gathered to celebrate the tourism industry.

Jane Ochanya, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the “Free Image Humanitarian Foundation (FIHF),” the organisers of the annual pageant, extended her heartfelt congratulations to the newly crowned tourism queen.

She urged Queen Sarah Okli to utilise her reign effectively to champion Nigeria’s rich tourism potential, particularly in its capacity for job creation and its contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to Ochanya, the primary aim of the event is to promote Nigeria’s vibrant tourism sector and to draw the attention of relevant stakeholders, especially the federal government, to the crucial role tourism plays in the national economy.

She emphasised that as Nigeria seeks to diversify its economic base, the tourism and creative sectors present viable alternatives if they receive adequate attention and investment.

Ochanya called upon governments at all levels to ensure increased funding for the tourism sector, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Ochanya, herself a former beauty pageant winner, explained that her motivation for organising the pageant stems from a desire to provide positive direction and opportunities for young people, particularly girls.

“We need to assure them that they can be successful in a positive way rather than venturing into prostitution, drugs and other social vices,” she stated.

“The Face of Tourism beauty pageant, amongst other things, is focused at creating awareness on the economic potentials of the tourism industry.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

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Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

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Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”