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By Funsho Arogundade
On the weekend of October 4 and 5, the Lagos Lagoon was electrified as hundreds of global citizens stormed the country to join Nigerians in celebrating her great culture. Specifically, it was a fashion meets glamour moment at the first of its kind on the continent of Africa when the debut UIM E1 World’s premier all-electric powerboat racing series tagged: ‘E1 Lagos GP’ was held in Lagos.
It was also an history-making showpiece, as a coterie of world-class beauty queens, including Miss Universe Continental Queens, Miss Universe Americas & Miss Universe Europe and the Middle East, alongside the reigning Miss Earth and Miss Earth Water stormed Lagos, Nigeria to be among the high-profile participants and VIP guests at the E1 Championship Fashion Showcase X Experience Lagos 2025 VIP Humanitourism Campaign —a strategic side event of the just concluded E1 Grand Prix dedicated to sustainability and innovation in marine mobility.
As the elite marine sport lit up Africa at the breathtaking ocean-facing terrace of the Black Diamond Hotel and Oriental Hotel both on the Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue of Victoria Island, Lagos, a landmark fusion of sports, style, culture and social impact were experienced: thanks to two former beauty queens and entrepreneurs – Dr. Maryam Elisha and Ambassador Tomi Salami. Both facilitated the visit of those continental beauty queens to be part of the ‘humanitourism campaign’ to champion sustainable fashion that celebrates the beauty and diversity of Nigeria.
Maryam – an award-winning designer and sustainability advocate who runs leading fashion brand, Rikaoto by Me— spotlighted the visiting queens with her brand craftsmanship on a global stage. Her collections have graced runways from Lagos to Paris, New York and Washington DC. With a portfolio rooted in elegance and empowerment, she’s known for using her platform to promote sustainable fashion and women’s visibility in creative industries.
Maryam’s collaborator, Tomi Salami is also an award-winning tourism ambassador and social-impact advocate whose career bridges culture, media and philanthropy. She curated the week-long inspiring trip that saw the enthusiastic queens witness the debut of electric power boats racing along African waters at the grand prix which was an incredible step towards clean energy alternatives and a sustainable future.
A former Miss Tourism Nigeria, who went on to represent the nation at the Miss Tourism World Competition in Thailand, Tomi has since emerged as an International Tourism and Humanitarian Ambassador. With proven engagement across Africa, the diaspora and global creative sectors, Tomi brings credibility, cultural resonance and measurable impact to every partnership. Her reputation for authenticity and purpose, leverages her global exposure to champion youth, women and community development across Africa and beyond.
With the strong support of AFREXIMBANK and CANEX Africa and powered by the Lagos State Government, Maryam and Tomi created history with the pageant queens’ visit which spotlight Lagos as a hub for culture, fashion, and sustainable innovation.
