Mrs Elizabeth Era, Convener of the maiden Face of Niger-Delta Cultural Pageant (FONDCUP), on Friday said the cultural pageantry is aimed at showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Era who disclosed this during a media briefing in Lagos, said the pageant is also meant to change the negative impression of Nigerians about the Niger-Delta people.
She said the Niger-Delta indigenes who were known for militancy, kidnapping and conflicts, also had their unique cultural heritage and other potentials Nigerians needed to be aware of and explore.
According to her, this will have nine contestants from nine Niger-Delta states staying together for 22 days while they will be examined and preoccupied based on the Niger-Delta culture and various cultural programmes.
She said that after the 22 days camp , the face of Niger-Delta Cultural Pageant would emerge.
She noted that the pageantry was organised in collaboration with The World Kindness Movement.
“Registration for the pageantry begins on Jan. 22 to close March 15, the auditioning will be done virtually while the grand finale of the entire contest will hold June 25.
“The winner of FONDCUP will be going home with a new car, N1 million. She will also be the Kindness Ambassador for one year with a series of ambassadorial jobs.
“The first runner-up will be leaving with N1 million, empowered with a skill of her choice and will get to work with HUSSTORM Technologies while the second runner-up will be getting N500,000 with other opportunities.
“At the end of the pageantry, each of the contestants will be going with N200,000,” she said.
Era said the new face of Niger-Delta Cultural Pageant would take up the task of visiting the Niger-Delta states, sensitising them on the need to embrace the culture of peace and show kindness to others.
Mrs Evelyn Okere-Onu, a Nigerian Politician, commended the initiative, saying it is coming at the right time with so much cases of insecurity in Nigeria.
She expressed the hope that the sensitisation programme would ensure peace among Nigerians.
Okere-Onu urged the convener of FONDCUP to also organise programmes that would encourage tourists to visit the Niger-Delta region.
“I support this whole-heartedly and I urge every individual to imbibe the spirit of peace and kindness.
“The Niger-Delta people are amazing people and I believe so much in cultural exchange programmes whereby we learn other people’s culture to bring about peace and understanding,” she said.
Also, Mr Stephen Oke, Secretary General, The World Kindness Movement, said the organisation had supported the cultural pageantry because they believed in the objective to re-orientate the mindset of the Niger-Delta people.
“We really appreciate the initiative and we will ensure this becomes a success,” he said.
Mr Idris Saibu, the Content Creator of the event, said the slogan of the cultural pageantry is “Embracing our Peace, Beauty and Culture”.
Saibu said these attributes of African women are the major ones to be examined in every contestant.
“This is trying to promote morality and not the usual half-naked runway parade but we will be focusing on upholding decency as Africans,” he said.
