THE TOUR IST COUPLES

GOGE AFRICAN IS A HOUSE HOLD NAME IN AFRICAN AND OTHER COUNTRIES, WHAT FORM YOUR PASSION AND TOURISM EXPERIRENCE?

 By ESTHER EGBE

Goge Africa is a culture and Tourism media brand on TV and print. Goge Africa TV show has been in existence since 1999. Over the years, this organization has grown in its concept, span and reach. In Africa, Goge Africa has an extensive network in Nigeria and covered many nations from all the 4 corners, north, south, east and west of Africa. Today Goge Africa is broadcast in 3 continents (Africa, Europe & US) and reaches out to more nations than ever before. It is shown on over 33 local and international TV channels. Goge Africa also has a companion magazine with circulation in Nigeria, Gambia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Ethiopia, United Kingdom and USA. A copy of the last edition of Goge Africa Magazine is included with this package. Over the years, Goge Africa has won various awards some of which include:

* Best Entertainment /Music Programme - Nigerian Television Authority (2000)

* Best Entertainment /Music Programme - Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (2004)

* Award Of Recognition At Black Music Awards Republic du Benin (2005)

* Best TV Programme - Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (2006)

* Best over All Programmes (TV and Radio) In Africa - (URTNER), Now African

Union of Broadcasters in Conjunction with NBC (2006)

We like to travel myself and also there is so much to see thing in African but because we are not much expose in the world media that is why my husband and I decided to be the voice of African culture and tourism.

MOST NIGERIAN DON’T RAELLY KNOW WHAT TOURISM IS, WHAT CAN YOU COMMENT ABOUT THAT, WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CHANGE THEIR MENTALITY?

I don’t agree with what you have said, tourism is not just traveling to see site, it is more than that. There are different kind of tourism are religious tourist, business tourist, fun lover tourism, for the religious aspect people come for the salvation of their soul, while the most common is business have notice that people have started visiting India, there are not going there for fun, but for medical tourism.Peopel go there for medical tourism a lot of people say that people don’t come to Nigerian that is not true, people come to Nigerian ,I know that the traffic is nothing to write home about, Nigeria don’t have data base for tourist.

We do not have data base to give us information about people that come for tourism in the country. The most travel countries in when you talk about business tourism a lot of investor come for business to come for religious tourism ,you need to go Synagogue Church,R,C.C.G,and the rest of them tourist come and other come for business tourism,the funny thing is that they come in group,what Nigerian need to do is for the Nigerian immigration officers to keep a check on this people at the point of entering ,some neighboring country just come to buy things and leave,they visit market like Alaba market,or all this market wher they have things ,they needs some come for cultural exchange program,India lady that was working with us,just left now we have an American,Uganda,colobia working with Goge African,so people come to Nigerian for tourism.but what am saying is that the traffick in lagos has increase,the only way Nigerian can catch in is,when we are strong business,give a friendly environment for that more people will come.The Niger-Delta,God helping us,trouble  will soon die out hopefully that will increase more business in that sector and they need good rodas,security which is the key thing to keep tourist coming to Nigerian.Security is very important in this business,the news of kidnapping,arm robbery and stuff like that will make people afraid to visit Nigeria.It is about time,we start doing meaningful advert on Nigerian,kind of washing our image with soap and water.clean up is very important ,so when this forginer guys come in they will have rest of mind that they are safe.Nigerian are nice people,and only one out of ten is bad to a forget the nine guys that was nice to them.the ways human mind works is different ,the people that still retail the culture of Nigera and our mindset are people way inside the village that are not contaminated with foreign culture so much kind of house they live in,car they use,wears,and so on.but  above all Nigerian are still great people,very warm to strangers that is our nature that is what to help in boosting the tourism.

HOW HAS IT BEEN  FOR THE ELEVEN YEARS IN TOURISM FOR YOU BOTH?

Goge African was established in 2004 by the founders and producers of the award winning culture and tourism TV programme - GOGE AFRICA. It is an educational foundation that also teaches African youths the history and heritage of our continent while creating awareness about social ills like AIDS, child abuse/trafficking etc. and catering to the needs of the less privileged in the society. Through the foundation, we hope to empower the youths of Africa towards building and sustaining a strong economy for our continent.

A look forward: Goge Africa aims to further expand its network through the ‘Goge Goes Global' (triple G) project coming up under the premise that Goge Africa opens a window to the varied cultures of the world to its African viewers and provide the world a perspective of Africa from African worldview, thereby promoting peace, cooperation and integration while developing diverse channels for tourism, communications, trade, commerce and economic development worldwide.

It has been 11 years of fun,adventure,challenges and we enjoy every bits of it.

HOW HAS IT BEEN WORKING WITH YOUR HUSBAND? It is great working with him,because we get to know our selves better, its has been fun although, but most time we are busy. Doing what we like best. We travel with the crew far and wide to promote tourism while capturing the culture and festivals of Africans and the Diaspora. We have worked and partnered with many Governments and corporate bodies that have been a part of our internationally acclaimed projects. Please find enclosed a list of some of our major partners.

GOGE AFRICA TOURS: Goge Africa conducts inbound tours in Africa, bringing tourists from outside the continent into Africa, and taking them around Africa on guided trips; liaising with governments, leading airlines, transport companies, hotels, resorts, etc.