The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Free Image Humanitarian Foundation (FIHF), Jane Ochanya, has called for more funding for the tourism sector in Nigeria.
Ochanya made this statement after Miss FCT, Queen Sarah Oyibinga Okoh, was crowned the winner of the 2025 Face of Tourism Beauty Pageant, following a hard-fought victory over ten other contestants at the Armed Forces Officers Mess, Lungi Barracks, Abuja.
She explained that the event was aimed at drawing the attention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the importance of tourism and the need for greater budgetary allocations to the sector, in alignment with the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
While applauding the success of the pageant, Ochanya emphasized that the initiative was also designed to raise awareness about the economic potential of tourism particularly in terms of job creation for Nigeria’s youth—and to promote the sector as a catalyst for economic growth and national development.
She also commended the current Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, for her commendable efforts in repositioning the sector since assuming office. Ochanya noted that with increased investment by the president, the tourism industry has the potential to significantly transform Nigeria’s economy.
Ochanya, a former beauty queen herself, explained that her motivation for organizing pageants stems from a desire to positively influence and inspire young people, particularly girls, by showing them they can succeed without resorting to prostitution, drug abuse, or other societal ills.
She highlighted that her organization, Free Image Humanitarian Foundation, has been organizing beauty pageants for over 15 years, notably the Miss Idoma pageant, which has produced several crowned queens who are now contributing positively to society.
Queen Sarah Oyibinga Okoh, who emerged as the winner of the 2nd edition of the Face of Tourism Beauty Pageant, triumphed over 10 other contestants in a colorful event attended by business moguls, entertainment icons, and key dignitaries in the tourism sector from across the country.
Visibly elated, the newly crowned queen thanked the organizers for providing her with the platform to showcase her talents. She pledged to use her reign to promote the significance and benefits of tourism in Nigeria, especially in engaging the youth and contributing to national GDP.
She also promised that her reign would focus on driving economic growth and placing Nigeria on the global map as Africa’s premier tourist destination.
Also speaking at the event, Catwalk Instructor Ms. Oluwakemi Abosede Osindele commended the contestants for their hard work in the build-up to the pageant. She expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the winners truly deserved their titles.
She further praised the judges for their honesty and impartiality in the rigorous selection process, noting that although it wasn’t an easy task, the audience ultimately applauded the final results with loud approval.
At the end of the event, Miss FCT was crowned the overall winner and awarded the title Face of Tourism Nigeria 2025. She was closely followed by: Miss Kaduna, Queen Theresa Jonathan – Miss Tradition 2025, Miss Enugu, Queen Laura Chioma Eze – Face of Tourism Ambassador 2025, Miss Akwa Ibom, Queen Anita Emmanuel – Face of Tourism North 2025.
The organizers have already begun preparations for the next edition, promising an even more exciting and impactful event.
