The Daily Observer (Banjul)
Hatab Fadera
3 November 2009
Preparations are at an advanced stage for the organization of the much awaited first ever Top Model of Colour modeling competition in The Gambia, scheduled for 5th December, 2009.
Organized by the Mahogany Production, Fabecs Promotion and other stakeholders, this high profile modeling competition will feature 50 models from the United Kingdom, in a show expected to be graced by highly prominent personalities within and outside the country, under the distinguished patronage of The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh.
The significance and gains of this competition, according to the organizers are enormous, in that it will not only reshape the struggling modeling industry of the country, but will also go a long way in promoting The Gambia especially its tourism sector, which is one of the key sectors contributing immensely to the socio-economic advancement of the country.
In an interview with the Daily Observer yesterday, shortly after an audience with Pa Malick Faye, managing director of the Observer company, Sola Oyebade, chief executive officer of the Mahogany Production International, spoke at length about the significance of this biggest modeling competition and its likely impacts on the country which has one of the best tourism destinations in the world.
The models for The Gambian competition, according to him, are of different ethnic origins such as African, Caribbean, Asian, and mixed race, amongst others and that they will battle to become winner in the Top Model of Colour Gambia 2009 competition. "Normally the competition is done in the UK and has been going around for about four to five years," stated CEO Oyebade, who added that he has discussed earlier with Fatima Jabbi of Fabecs Promotion about the opportunities of bringing this competition to the country.
As far as CEO Oyebade is concerned, they are not just bringing a model competition to the country, but one that will be of immense benefit to the people of The Gambia, especially its tourism industry. The Gambia, he said, attracts a lot of people from the United Kingdom for tourism, observing that by bringing the competition here, many people from around the world who will grace the event will be encouraged to come back once they experienced the beautiful tourism destination.
"Therefore, this will increase peoples' knowledge about The Gambia as a tourism destination and see for themselves how beautiful it is," observed Oyebade, who is also creative director and show producer of the Mahogany Production International.
The Gambia event, according to him, also falls in line with their objective of promoting the continent, maintaining that Africa can promote itself without relying on the West, that the continent can produce its own super models without relying on the West. "The competition itself is the leading one," he indicated. "We have worldwide press competition, and everybody is talking about being in The Gambia because this is the first time it will be held outside the UK," he asserted.
The event, he added will also serve as a rare opportunity and experience for the visiting guests, saying most of them have never been to the country before. Oyebade went on to describe the event a big one, highly professional, as well as entertaining, saying "we intend to bring something to The Gambia that you have never seen before". The Mahogany Production International CEO revealed that up to three Gambian models will be participating in this competition. Two of these people, he said are based in the United Kingdom and the other in The Gambia.
The judges for this maiden event, he said are international judges who are experienced people in the fashion industry. He revealed that the winner will benefit from such privileges as having a prize of thousand pounds, a modeling contract with Mahogany Production, participation in a lot of fashion events among others.
Yemi Adegite, chief executive officer of the Mahogany Production-Africa, expressed similar sentiments and reiterated the fact that the competition will go a long way in enhancing the tourism industry of the country. He revealed that the Gambia is chosen for the competition simply due to its booming tourism industry, amongst others.
For her part, Fatima Jabbie-Solley, director of the Fabecs Promotion, who is a key partner in this competition, said her aim is to bring a competition that has never been done in the country. The most important thing about this show, according to her, will be the promotion of The Gambia, noting that the impact it will generate outside is immeasurable.
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