Maryam Elisha: From Beauty Queen to First Traditional Queen in Kebbi

Fashion Entrepreneur and CEO of Nigeria’s renowned fashion brand Rikaoto By Me, Maryam Elisha was recently crowned as the Sarauniyar Matan Rafin Zuru of her community in Kebbi state.

The new Royal title makes the former beauty queen turned fashion designer the first female queen in her community.

It has been a continuous rise to the top for Maryam Elisha. In 2023, the fashion designer who is famous for styling beauty queens, especially Chidinma Adetshina was decorated as Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration from Prowess University, Delaware, USA. Elisha is currently the royal traditional queen.

In her post on social media, the new royal majesty said, “Dear friends and family. I am delighted to announce that our community has deemed it fit to recognise me by putting some responsibility on my shoulder and to celebrate female excellence achievement in zuru Kebbi.

“It pleases me to tell you that on the 23rd of December 2024, I was crown the Sarauniyar Matan Rafin Zuru at the special gardening of dignitaries and well wishers in a Turbaning Ceremony that qualifies the title right in the Palace of His Royal Highness Alhaji Hamza Muhammad Sarkin Rafin Zuru.

“Special thanks to my governor, Nasir Idris, the Executive Governor of Kebbi State. I would also like to appreciate my very own king Sarkinq Rikoto ( the family I am originally from ) Sarkin Dubai, and other dignitaries respectively.

“I would like you to join me in celebrating my cultural heritage and background as my journey as the First Female Queen in my community , this is not small. It is a big deal to me, particularly because such a title is not given to women in my area but today my people are bending rules to accommodate, and celebrate female excellence, and inclusivity in community and nation-building.

“People who are close to me know how deeply rooted I am in culture and tradition. This is definitely a path I will enjoy.”

In an interview with Maryam Elisha, she said her key focus with the title of
a traditional ruler in a community aims at ensuring the well-being and harmony of the community.

She assured that she would act as a Community Development Advocate where she will play a vital role in advocating for and facilitating development projects, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure, by partnering with government agencies and organizations.

“I will serve as custodian of culture and heritage while providing leadership to the community. Another important thing I will be directly involved with
is conflict resolution, especially among women, ensuring peaceful coexistence and upholding traditional values.

“As a culturally preserving agent in the community, I will play an important role in participating in cultural festivals, ceremonies, and practices that preserve the community’s identity. I will also serve as an intermediary between our community and the government, ensuring our people’s voices are heard in policymaking and implementation.
These are the key things I will focus on at the moment,” Elisha said.

When asked if the new title would change the mode of dressing or any other etiquette in any way, she said, “I have always been a well-dressed lady who respects my cultural ethics.

“The title will further permit me to now wear royal attire especially on public outings or traditional festivals and since I am a fashion designer, I can be creative about it to further beautify my culture. I strongly believe that when I’m at work in my factory or having meetings with clients in respect of my fashion business, I may not have to wear the royal attire.

Speaking on the development of Kebbi State, she said the current governor of Kebbi state Nasir Idris and the past ones have an job amazing especially in the city of Birnin Kebbi which is the capital, but rural areas of Zuru Kebbi State, Rikoto which happens to be her local government and Rafin Zuru needs urgent attention.

She said these areas need basic amenities such as good roads ,improved health care , access to clean water and electricity.

“Kebbi state, just like many regions in Nigeria, faces challenges in development, especially in the rural area, but the state also has unique strengths especially in agriculture. Whether it is ‘lagging behind’ depends on the metrics used in comparison, e.g., infrastructure, education, healthcare, or industrialisation.