Ayodeji Ake
While other nongovernmental organisations battle flaming societal issues, Obijackson Foundation has chosen the path to wage war against poverty through it cultural pageantry.
The foundation, which is determined to give more youths the opportunity to share and imbibe the laudable values, has announced plans to expand its annual Face of Okija Cultural Pageant and Talent Hunt to include contestants from the entire Anambra state.
Speaking to newsmen recently in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Prof. Rich Umeh, said the foundation was established to support Nigerians in overcoming life’s obstacles occasioned by poverty or physical disability.
Since inception, the foundation has consistently intervened in critical areas such as education, healthcare and infrastructure.
The 2018 Project Director, Konnie Agu said the year’s event tagged “Re-engineering our Moral Standard” aligns with its ground-breaking initiative that will inspire Nigerian youths to imbibe positive African values.
She explained that rather than the usual emphasis on physical beauty in regular pageants, the ’Face of Okija Cultural Pageant and Okija Rising Talent Hunt’ seek to empower the youths and promote true African values and morals in youths, as participants are expected to display unique African beauty, intelligence and diverse talents.
Agu called on Anambra youths under the age 30 to give themselves a chance at emerging as King or Queen of the Face of Okija Cultural Pageant by taking part in the competition.
She said: “For participation, you must be a graduate under the age of 30 you, must be a Nigerian citizen and indigene of Anambra state.
“You shouldn’t be married, a mother or pregnant. You must speak fluent Igbo and must not have tattoos or piercings and you must be available to serve the foundation within Nigeria for a continuous period of one year.”
The foundation noted that the grand finale of the event is scheduled to hold on the December 29, 2018 in Okija, Anambra State.
The winners of the competition would be offered automatic employment as brand ambassadors for the foundation with a regular monthly salary for the duration of their reign. In addition, they will also be provided a chauffeur driven official car for the duration of their reign. There will be mouth-watering prices for the winner and the two runner-ups of the Okija Rising Talent Hunt.
