Goge Africa, a platform dedicated to promoting culture and tourism, marked its 25th anniversary with vibrant cultural showcases, along with exhibitions highlighting fashion and arts.
Founded on October 1, 1999, by Isaac Moses and Nneka Isaac-Moses, Goge Africa celebrated its milestone in Lagos. The festivities included the Face of Goge Africa (FOGA) contest, designed to spotlight Africa’s abundance of creative talents in fashion, art, and modelling on a global scale.
The competition featured 25 African youths aged between 18 and 25, who underwent rigorous screening before competing for FOGA. Following rounds of intellectual assessments, fashion parades, and various contests, five winners emerged triumphant.
Among the winners, Sandra Kaba from Liberia secured a trip to The Gambia, courtesy of the Gambian Tourism Board. At the same time, Adebowale Victoria earned a ship cruise to the Bahamas, sponsored by the Royal Caribbean. Adewale Mary received a one-million-naira cash prize from the Goge Africa Foundation, and Nwagu Eustess-Malcolm secured a training opportunity at the London Fashion Week, supported by Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, the founder of Nigerian Fashion Week London. Additionally, Emeruem Emeka was awarded an all-expense-paid trip to The Gambia, sponsored by Gambian Tourism.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nneka Isaac-Moses expressed her delight at the significant achievements Goge Africa has attained since its inception. She emphasized that FOGA was intentionally created to empower African youths by equipping them with entrepreneurial skills. The platform received applications from six countries, including Burundi, Togo, Ghana, Liberia, The Gambia, and Nigeria. Isaac-Moses also mentioned plans for another phase of the contest, with a modelling runway agency in America expressing interest in engaging two black Americans who would emerge as the Face of Goge.
“This marks the inaugural event for Goge Africa’s 25th-anniversary celebration. I am immensely gratified that we have been able to establish the platform we have always envisioned,” she remarked. “Success is when we cultivate successors. Through FOGA, we aim to support African youths so they do not encounter the same hardships we face. We will mentor and provide training to the five winners in media and tourism promotion, while all finalists will receive ongoing guidance and training opportunities.”
Isaac Moses also expressed his joy and fulfilment, stating, “I am ecstatic and deeply satisfied that we can now offer hope to young Africans, sparing them from the struggles we endured. We are on the right path, and I extend heartfelt appreciation to MTN, Access Bank from Angola, Dr Angela Adamu, President of the Association of Spouses of Nigerian Ambassadors (ASNA), and other generous individuals who contributed prizes. The outpouring of goodwill has been tremendous.”
Notable figures in attendance at the event included renowned Nollywood veterans such as Sola Shobowale, Joke Silva, Fred Amata, Keppy Ekpenyong, Emeka Ossai, and Adenrele Edun, alongside prominent government officials and international delegates.
