The Delta State government is set to launch a new initiative aimed at empowering and promoting young women through entertainment.
Spearheaded by the Executive Assistant on Entertainment, to Governor Sheriff Oborewori, Komone Chubbo Godwin, popularly known as Gordons, the initiative will feature an annual beauty pageant as a platform to celebrate the contributions and potential of the female gender, which he believes has not received adequate recognition in the state.
During a press briefing in Asaba, Gordons, alongside other top entertainment officials including Okiri Tare Homy (Harrysong), Executive Assistant to Governor Oborewori on Entertainment, Solomon Kings, Senior Special Assistant on Entertainment and Senior Special Assistant on Talent Development Ugagaoghene Ogheneyole, explained that the pageant will highlight the girl child’s role in the state’s development.
He noted that the governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborewori, is committed to gender sensitivity and tasked the team to create opportunities that promote the girl child through entertainment.
The beauty pageant, titled “Queen of Delta at 33,” is set to produce a queen annually for the next eight years.
According to Gordons, “this is not just about winning prizes but about producing ambassadors who can represent Delta State on both national and global stages. Each queen will be selected from a pool of contestants after a rigorous audition process across the state’s 25 local government areas.
“Auditions will be held in five key cities, Warri, Asaba, Ughelli, Ozoro, and Sapele where young women from across the state will compete for a chance to enter the “Queen’s Ville,” a two-week boot camp designed to nurture their skills. In Queen’s Ville, the participants will receive training from experts in public speaking, runway presentation, and self-development, all aimed at preparing them to excel on and off the stage.
Gordons stressed that the event is more than just physical beauty, noting that contestants will be evaluated on their intelligence, cultural knowledge, and ability to represent the rich heritage of Delta State. After two weeks in Queen’s Ville, 10 finalists will be selected to compete in the grand finale, scheduled for November 26, 2024, at the Dome Event Center.
The prizes for the event are substantial, with the winner driving home a brand-new SUV and N1.5 million for fuel, while the second and third place winners will receive N3 million and N2 million respectively. He added that beyond the prizes, the winners are expected to become role models and cultural ambassadors for Delta State.
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Speaking in the same vein, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Oborewori on Ugagaoghene Ogheneyole, said the pageant is a way to celebrate the contributions of the girl child to Delta’s progress.
He made reference to significant moments in the state’s history, such as the pivotal role of late Mariam Babangida in Asaba becoming the state capital, to illustrate the importance of recognizing and promoting female contributions.
Ogheneyole further emphasized the transparency of the process, ensuring that all 25 local governments will have equal representation. He noted that the selection of queens will prioritize cultural understanding, character, and the ability to communicate in a local dialect, alongside traditional beauty as criteria.
“This initiative is part of Governor Oborewori’s broader MORE agenda, which focuses on creating impactful programs that reflect the values of Delta State while promoting inclusivity and empowerment for all citizens,” he said.
He revealed that the auditions, open to young women over 18, will officially kick off on October 21, 2024, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the state’s effort to uplift the girl child through entertainment.
