Miss Olamma Africa Pageant was initiated to showcase the vast cultural and tourism potential of the Igbos to the world, organisers has said.
Emmanuel Ezime, founder/CEO of the pageant, who stated this at a recent press conference in Enugu, pointed out that the project also aims at attracting investors to various tourism sites in Igboland especially in Enugu, the host state.
Ezime further disclosed that the elimination stages of the competition took place in October and November 2020, adding that the pageant is now on road to the crown.
“Camp will open at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, on 7th of February while the grand finale with slogan ‘Expressing Africa through the Eyes of the Igbo Woman,’ which would be spiced with special valentine flavours, will hold at The Base Landmark, Enugu on 13th of February, 2021,” he said.
He also announced the introduction of a new item to the programme, christened ‘Olamma Africa Pathfinders Award,’ which would be part of the grand finale of the pageant.
While appreciating the official media partner of the pageant, Mnet Africa, Ezima said that through the continental showcasing of the pageant via Africa Magic platforms, the organisers received over 1200 entries from Igbo daughters spread across six African countries of their residences.
On what inspired the project, Ezime said it was to establish the biggest pan-Igbo pageant in the world through which the story, vast cultural and tourism potential of Ndigbo would be celebrated and showcased to the global community, especially investors.
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“The event will be a microcosm of what Igbo, and by extension, Africa truly are – the culture, native delicacies, costumes, folklores and many more. We are focused on a pageantry that would push the industry to a new digital dawn, a renaissance of status quo, while also telling the unique African story,” Ezime explained.
He further said that it would create opportunity to celebrate Igbo citizens and organisations that have contributed to the sustainability, advancement and recognition of Igbo culture and people, especially the youths and women all over the world.tourism potential
In his remark, Chukwunonye Okereke, senior special assistant on Public Communications to the governor of Enugu State, thanked the organisers for choosing Enugu as the host state and assured that both the government and people of the state would buy into the pageant.
He said the state was pleased to be the host of the event and that all hands would be on deck to make the event a success.
“It is heartwarming that this event is taking place at this auspicious time when we have a governor and government that is doing everything humanly possible to propagate the cultural and tourism value of Enugu State and Ndigbo in general. The state already radiates a peaceful ambience, courtesy of the Ugwuanyi administration, which is a firm assurance to participants of Miss Olamma Africa Pageant/Pathfinders Award that Enugu is safe and is the perfect place for the event,” he said.
Okereke further said that Enugu has what it takes anybody anywhere in the world to make money because the state boasts of many wonderful natural resources as well as several pleasant tourism potential.
“Participants of the pageant will enjoy the beautiful sights of the wonderful Nsukka Seven-Lakes, Ezimo Water Falls, where you find cold and warm water at the same time; the Awhum Water Falls, beautiful caves and the rest,” he added.
