Creative Industry

Kangiwa Pledges Support to Pageant Contests As An Arm Of Creative Arts

Published

6 years ago

December 17, 2020

Director-General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa has stated that the Creative Art Industry is one of the most vibrant activity sub-sectors of the tourism industry requiring the support and collaborations of relevant institutions of both public and private sectors of the country to grow and develop the industry.

Alhaji Kangiwa who made the statement when he received in audience, Miss Uwah Edidiong Ezekiel-the Most Beautiful Face Southern Nigeria, in his office, said the beauty pageant industry is part of the Creative Arts that offers youths the platform to showcase their talents in a variety of ways that make them functional citizens contributing their quota for the progress and development of the country.

He said NIHOTOUR as the apex public sector institution saddled with the responsibility of capacity building and offering skilled training of different grades and cadres in the country’s hospitality and the travel-tourism industry is willing to support and collaborate with Miss Uwah Ezekiel to participate at all levels of beauty contests both at home and abroad and succeed as well as achieve her dream goal of becoming the most beautiful beauty pageant worldwide.

Kangiwa posited that NIHOTOUR does not have the financial muscle to offer funds in her beauty contest quests, but will endorse her bids and solicit for her the goodwill and financial wherewithal to pursue her career in local and global contests for the coveted crown of either the most beautiful face, most beautiful girl, etc. from public and private sector organizations, individuals and corporate bodies.

Earlier in her address, Miss Uwah Edidiong from Akwa Ibom state and current crown holder of the Most Beautiful Face Southern Nigeria 2020 which she won in Lagos, September 2020, said she was at NIHOTOUR to seek the support and collaboration of the Director-General in her contest and quest for Ms. International World 2021 Crown back to Nigeria as well as to request him to serve as the Patron of her organization under the auspices of the Most Beautiful Face of Southern Nigeria in view of his pedigree of philanthropic gestures and outstanding contributions to humanity.

Miss Edidiong said she sees her crown and office as a call to serve humanity with the clear vision to rebrand the dented and lost image of beauty pageants and to share in the vision of societal growth through the offering of aids and assistance to orphanage homes, the less privileged in the society as well as in skill acquisitions in various trades and professions, especially of the Programs and Courses offered by NIHOTOUR

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Creative Industry

CAFA Targets $500bn Fashion Economy At Canex Wknd 2026

Published

1 week ago

November 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Confederation of African Fashion (CAFA) will present its roadmap to grow Africa’s fashion economy from an estimated $30 billion to $500 billion at CANEX WKND 2026 in Lagos.

Marking its first anniversary on November 5, CAFA will unveil a joint stand with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly the National Arts Theatre, on November 5, 2026.

CAFA President, Aare (Prof.) Lai Labode, said the institution works with African governments to align sourcing, production, trade and intellectual property policies, ensuring African creativity generates greater value for African businesses and communities.

Nigeria became the first country to sign the African Fashion Industry Growth Charter on November 5, 2025, when the Honourable Minister Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa signed on behalf of the Federal Government.

Speaking ahead of the unveiling, Minister Musawa said: “Afroliganza seeks to build a structured, values-driven fashion economy rooted in African heritage, led by African institutions, and positioned for global impact.”

On employment potential, the minister emphasized that Investment in fashion will create millions of jobs, particularly for women and youth.

Registered in Rwanda, with an office in Kigali and a desk at the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, CAFA is also working with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs towards African Union adoption of the Charter. Rwanda is progressing towards becoming its second participating country and the first in East Africa.

Its first year saw fifty nations gather at the Egbaliganza-Lisabi Festival in Abeokuta and a signed MoU with Türkiye’s ASRIAD.

CAFA’s programmes promote processing African raw materials into finished apparel locally. ‘Own What We Create’ addresses intellectual property protection, while the CAFA Certified Seal and CAFA Heritage Mark support standards and authenticity. African Global Fashion Houses are currently being established across international markets.

The African Global Fashion Games will debut in Nigeria in 2028, bringing designers together under national colours. Held every three years, the Games will alternate between African and international hosts, combining competition with investor meetings, deal signings and policy discussions. Its Instant Craft event gives competing nations identical materials and a fixed clock, placing skill at the centre of the contest.

CAFA is inviting creatives, fashion designers, artisans, diplomats, economists, investors and policymakers to its CANEX stand. Visitors can explore the roadmap, ask questions and identify opportunities to contribute through design, manufacturing, investment, research, trade and international partnerships. The stand will be open daily from November 5 to 8.

CAFA calls on the African Union to adopt the Charter, and governments to sign the Games Register and form national teams.

“Fashion has always told the world who Africa is. Now Africa will decide what fashion pays,” Aare Prof. Lai Labode said.

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