C’River First Lady Launches Pageant to Empower Young Nigerian Girls
The much-anticipated Queen of Humanity (QOH) Pageantry Contest for 2024 is attracting attention for its unique focus on empowering young women.
Mr. Michael Moses, the Executive Director of the pageant, revealed that the initiative is the brainchild of Her Excellency, Rev. Eyoanwan Otu, the wife of the Cross River State Governor.
Mr. Moses stated this on Friday during a Press Conference at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Center, State Housing, Calabar
“This project goes beyond mere financial empowerment and education,” Moses explained. “Her Excellency believes that young Nigerian girls need more than just these elements; they require a holistic approach to development.”
The event, themed ” Beauty ‘ N ‘ Brain, ” is scheduled to begin on November 1 and run until December 27. It targets young girls aged 18 to 25 and focuses on personal and ethical development to prepare them for future leadership roles.
Moses further elaborated, “The Governor’s wife recognized a gap in the system regarding ethical values, moral principles, and selflessness in service to humanity. She wants this pageant to emphasize mentorship over mere physical attributes.”
To achieve this, the QOH Pageantry will include a humanitarian component, where contestants will identify societal challenges and propose solutions. “This aspect will challenge participants to create concise proposals that can lead to impactful execution,” he said.
He said, “The contestants are required to register online for a fee of N10,000. This opportunity is open to Nigerian girls from any state or region. The pageant offers a grand prize valued at 42 million Naira, which includes a brand-new car for the winner”.
Moses stressed the essence of instilling ethical values in the younger generation, saying that these principles are essential for developing future leaders.
Dr Comfort Ugbo, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor’s wife, stresses the media’s role in the event’s success. “With the cooperation and engagement of the media, the QOH Pageantry will resonate with the community,” she remarked. “Cross River State is a treasure, and we all desire to showcase our achievements to the world.”
She urged the organizers, “Put your best foot forward to ensure that, at the end of the event, we can all feel proud of what we have accomplished.”
The competition will be held at the Calabar International Conference Center (CICC), providing a grand venue for this transformative event.
