Face Of Maritime International (FOMI) has received heart-warming testimonials from it's past contestants and queens, some of which are captured below for your reading pleasure!

QUEEN ADAEZE OBODOZIE GLORY

It all started in August 2019 when I registered for Face Of Maritime International (FOMI). I got the information very late and I didn't really know much about FOMI but I did my best to go for the audition.
Fortunately, I passed the audition, and I was admitted into the contest under the platform of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) as my sponsors.

Through the immense support of ANLCA, I made it to the Grand Finale stage where I emerged 2nd Runner Up known as FOMI Queen Tourism 2019.

As a beauty queen, FOMI brought out the best in me and gave me the opportunity to follow my passion. My dream of 4yrs was achieved. It would interest you to know that few years earlier, I was a former student of Lagos State University (LASU), studying Biochemistry, but I dropped out due to circumstances beyond my control then.

 

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But after I became FOMI Queen, FOMI Management picked me up from there and renewed my desire to go back to school. One day, sometime in December 2019, we went for a courtesy visit to Mrs Olotu Funmilayo, then Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). During the visit, she asked me what I wanted to do next having emerged FOMI Queen, I told her I have interest in maritime, and I would like to study maritime related course.

There and then, the Port Manager offered me 50% Scholarship, promising that if I get admission in any maritime school of my choice, Lagos Port Complex would take responsibility for 50% of my school cost until I graduate. This she said they would do as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility programs. Oh my God! I couldn't believe it. What a wonderful woman with a heart of gold. You needed to see how I hugged her, holding her tight as I remembered the pains I suffered when I dropped out of school. Now I have a chance to go back to school again. I cannot but pour my heart-felt gratitude and prayers for her.

By February of 2020, I got admission at the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology to study Maritime Transportation and Business Studies. Having graduated, I am already working in one of the maritime logistics companies, thanks to the platform FOMI provided for me.

I want to use this medium to thank all those who made it possible for me to be where I am today. First is the Leadership of ANLCA led then by Hon Tony Iju Nwabunike for believing in me and sponsoring my FOMI Contest. My gratitude also goes to Mrs Olotu Funmilayo for bringing rays of hope to my educational pursuit. God bless you very kindly ma. Not forgetting Mr Sylvanus Obasi, Director of FOMI and Hajia Bola Muse, for the unforgettable roles they both played in making this dream a reality.

To all present and future FOMI Contestants, I want to say you are in the right place. I'm a big fan of Face Of Maritime International. I believe in the vision and goals of FOMI, and I will forever be grateful to the brand and all her sponsors and partners.

Obodozie Adaeze Glory,
Queen Tourism, Face Of Maritime International 2019.
ANLCA Ambassador 2019

MISS IKERU HAPPINESS CHINEMEREM

I auditioned for the Face Of Maritime International (FOMI) in 2019 and was among the few ladies who passed the audition and made it through all the stages of the competition.

I contested under the platform of the Nigerian Railway Corporation as my sponsors, and at the Grand Finale, I won FOMI Miss Leadership Award/Prize of N100,000 having scored the highest marks in the Leadership Quiz Challenge conducted at the Camp. The Award was sponsored by an outstanding Women Leader in the maritime industry, Hajia Bola Muse, the CEO, Bomarah Group of Companies. She is an amazing woman and am very grateful to her. The little time she spent with us in the camp was awesome, and we all (contestants) love her so much.

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Before going into the FOMI Contest that year, I didn't have any slightest idea of what the maritime industry is all about. But during the One Week Faculty Camping, we were taught a lot about maritime, and it got more interesting when we were told that only 2% of the World's maritime Workforce is made up of women according to the International Federation of Transport Workers (ITF).
After hearing that, my interest grew and I found a new love: love for the sea! So I decided that I want to bê more than just a face but also a maritime woman.

With the never-ending help from FOMI Management, Mr Obasi Sylvanus and that of my friend, Engr Adebimpe Damilola as well as Engr Matthew Alalade, I decided to go to a maritime school for my tertiary education. Hence, I secured admission into the renowned Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, here in Victoria Island, Lagos where I studied NAUTICAL SCIENCE up to HND level with the hope of becoming a captain in the future.

The journey so far has been impactful, life-changing and all I just want to say is a Big thank you to the organizers of Face Of Maritime International (FOMI) for the idea of this GIRLS GO-TO-SEA CAMPAIGN Project. With this, we expect the industry to have as many women as possible in the future, it's just a matter of time.

Happiness Ikeru,
FOMI Miss Leadership 2019,
Ambassador, Nigeria Railway Corporation, 2019.
IG: @Brown.Shuga.doll

MISS FRANCIS PRECIOUS

I participated in Face Of Maritime International (FOMI) in 2017 where I represented the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF). But before I registered for the pageant, my mom and my uncle had to take me by the hand to see the mastermind, Mr Sylvanus Obasi in his office because I just turned 18 years then and my mom wanted to see the organiser and be assured that her daughter is in safe hands. After discussing with him, my mum enrolled me for the contest.

I represented the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarder (NAGAFF) in the completion that year, and as NAGAFF Candidate, I did my very best, and with their support, I got to the Grand Finale where I won FOMI 2017 Miss Hilarious Award.

All my life, I had wanted to study criminal Law but God has his own plans for me. Through FOMI platform, I got a scholarship from one of the generous women in the maritime sector, Mrs. Macfoy Rollens, CEO of Ocean Deep Services Limited.

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With her scholarship offer, I got admission in January 2018 at the foremost maritime College, the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology (FCFMT) to study Maritime Transportation and Business Studies.

Today, I am proud to say that I love maritime. I finished my National Diploma in 2019; did my mandatory one year Industrial Traning (I.T) experience in 2020, after which I secured a job and have been working ever since.

I also participated in my school pageant, Miss Oceanography 2018 and emerged the Winner. My experience with FOMI has been wonderful and I want to say a very big thank you to the leadership of NAGAFF for believing in me and sponsoring me in FOMI 2017 edition where it all began.

My heart-felt appreciation also goes to Mrs Mcfoy Rollens, CEO, Ocean Deep Services Ltd for finding me worthy of her company's scholarship scheme which made me a maritime scholar today. God bless you real good ma. Not forgetting my school, FCFMT for the wonderful academic environment created for us at the college.

In a very special way, I sincerely salute the courage, creativity and visionary of the Management of Face Of Maritime International, promoters of Girls Go-To-Sea Campaign for creating such a unique platform for young Nigerian girls to know about maritime. FOMI has been very impactful. A support for FOMI is not only a support for greater participation of women in the maritime sector, but also a support for greater maritime awareness in Nigeria because each edition of FOMI creates so much awareness about the Nigerian maritime sector in the social media space.

Precious Francis Chigemezu,
FOMI Miss Hilarious and NAGAFF
Ambassador, 2017.
Miss Oceanography 2018.
IG: @portable_adah_precious

QUEEN OYINKANSOLA OLOGUNWA

I happened to be one of the pioneer contestants of Face Of Maritime International (FOMI) when the brand was birthed in 2016. I still remember the stress of going from Ipaja to the Auditorium of the Nigerian Shippers Council in Apapa where the maiden audition took place. Before I could get there that beautiful Friday morning, I was already exhausted and all my make-up faded away due to the sweat caused by the hustles and bustles of bus transport system in Lagos coupled with the Apapa traffic.

But I was determined to take the bull by the horn and live out my dream. So I managed to put a good fight, passed the audition and was admitted into the contest under the umbrella of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) as my sponsors.

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At the Grand Finale, I won FOMI Miss Influencial Award and also emerged the Pioneer First Runner Up of Face Of Maritime International 2016. The excitement, the euphoria and joyful sense of accomplishment I felt that night for winning a crown in my first pageant, it was joy uspeakable for me.

Winning FOMI crown boosted my self confidence, self esteem and personal drive. With that high level of self confidence, at the end of my reign as FOMI queen, I contested in another TV Reality Show and emerged the overall winner. Today, am living my dream as a model.

My experience with FOMI was awesome, and I have to say that FOMI is one of the fairest and most decent pageants I have ever had the pleasure of being a part of as a model. Their dress code is decent unlike some others that promote nudity. Their camp activities are quite impactful and transformational. The entire process of the competition is smooth, credible and transparent from one stage to another.

I greatly appreciate the wonderful opportunities and experiences that FOMI offers. Congratulations in advance to the ladies who will win their next prestigious titles and crowns!

Ologunwa Oyinkansola.
First Runner Up/FOMI Miss Influencial 2016.
NAGAFF Ambassador, 2016.
IG: @Spunkiies_Official