By CHINYERE Nnaemeka
The Imo State Government through the office of the Commissioner for Tourism, Hospitality, and Culture, Hon. Barr. Jerry Egemba has welcomed into the State Pageants from diverse African Countries.
The pageants from Nigeria, Gambia, Uganda, Ghana, Guinea, Zamfara, Liberia, among others, came under the auspices of the Cultural Queens Pageants into the state for their Fashion Parade Grand Finale.
They were received by the Commissioner and his team, on Thursday at the Imo Exhibition Center, along Wetheral Road, in Owerri the state capital.
Addressing the pageants who were in company of their Spokesperson, Ogbu Uchenna Sophia, among others, the Commissioner, Egemba expressed joy, saying he feels gladened in his heart to welcome them into the state.
He noted that he is always elated to see young youths living off their talents, and so, it is one of the activities of his Ministry to Identify, isolate, recognize, and encourage worthy talents of such from various levels and classes and to also provide an enabling environment for them to showcase their talent.
He continued, “This is why we always support anyone sincerely projecting such vision that showcases African talents, and promotes our Cultural values, just like this Pageantry body; Cultural Queens Pageantry is doing.
“The entertainment industry presents itself as a chronic relieve endowment from God to aid people enjoy their lives, and also live long.
“Some aspects of our culture; maiden dance, wrestling, festivals, among others were what made our forefather live longer, but it is disheartening that some of those cultures are no longer imbibed.
“I therefore urge Nigerians to go back to embracing those cultural values and to also play their part in growing the entertainment industry of our time.
“We should also learn to be proud to be called Africans just like these pageants from diverse African countries that are endowed with skills, intelligence and beauty are. African women are valuable beauties, and can make a positive change if they believe in themselves,’Egemba stated.
He further encouraged Imolites to learn to showcase their God given talent, saying that the state have a governor who is passionate about promoting matter of such nature.
He assured the coordinator of the pageantry group who he disclosed are from Imo state, of the state government’s support in aiding them achieve their aims, and objectives of grooming young talents to make African proud.
Adding her voice, the Spokesperson of the Pageantry group, Ogbu Uchenna Sophia who expressed joy how she and her team were welcomed by the commissioner pointed out that the pageants from various African countries have come into the state for the Grand Finale of their Pageantry Competition.
This she said will take place at Emirate Hotel, on Saturday.
She further enumerated some of the core values of their group to be -” Seeking to promote African Culture, peaceful coexistence and unity among African ladies especially Nigerians to accept their culture using Beauty pageantry as a climax and center of Attraction.
“Enlightening African ladies between the ages of 17-26years across the globe that African women are valuable beauties and can make a positive change if they believe in themselves.
“To create awareness and fight against humiliations against African Women Such as female genital mutilation, rape, girl child molestation and domestic violence, among others,’ Ogbu asserted’.
Also present in the gathering were – the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry; T.U.C. Nwokonkwo, Director Imo State Council of Arts and Culture; Eze – Elect Jude Ekeh, Director Culture Department of the Ministry, Mrs Obiageli Amaefu, heads of departments of the ministry, Director of Creative Art, Chief Executive African descendants in diasporas, Imo State, and other staff of the ministry.
Highlights of the event were the Omen’ Imo Cultural Group being present to entertain the pageants.
The pageants were also taken round the Art Gallery to see the artifacts.
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