Heralding the New Reality Show, Queen of Ibile

Yinka Olatunbosun

A new television series titled ‘Queen of Ibile Pageant Awards and Reality Show’ is set to change urban culture in October. The show which has the support of the Lagos State government, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and other organisations was conceived on the need to promote indigenous culture from Nigeria to the global audience. The Queen of IBILE Pageant Awards and Reality Show seeks to redefine contemporary pageantry, empower the girl-child, educate and promote tourism, arts and while generating more employment opportunities, encouraging team spirit and arousing intellectual conversations.

At a recent press briefing held at the Freedom Park, Lagos, the CEO, Platinum Entertainment and Executive Producer, Queen of Ibile, Olayinka Fatima Edu explained that the show was inspired by the beauty of Lagos with its unique festivals, myths and royal coronation.

“IBILE asides from being a Yoruba word meaning “indigenous daughter or son of the soil” is also an acronym derived from the five administrative divisions of Lagos State; Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos and Epe. These administrative divisions have distinctive cultures and tradition but unitedly contribute to the centre of excellence, Lagos State. Queen of Ibile is a community-based project that seeks to debunk the popular notion of the big city of Lagos as a ‘No Man’s Land’ but as an indigenous state with rich cultural values,’’ she said.

Targeted at girls between the ages 18 and 25, the show will kick off in October with 20 select contestants and run for eight weeks. With audition slated for September, the show will be curated in a location named Ibile mansion. Each contestant will strive to win the crown and be named the Queen of Ibile. Throughout their stay, they would be taught skills including indigenous language skills.

In addition, the Ibile Mansion would be retained as a research and tourist centre long after the wrap of the show each season.

The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Solomon Bonu expressed his satisfaction on the new project.

“This collaboration is an attestation that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture welcomes innovations that complement the vision of this present administration for the advancement of Tourism, Arts and Culture in the State. As rightly proposed by Platinum Entertainment, “Queen of IBILE Pageant Awards & Reality”, seeks to redefine contemporary pageantry, empower the girl child and promote tourism, arts and culture in Lagos State and beyond.

“Beyond what Lagos is popularly known for in the area of commerce, trade and investment, it is also very instructive to emphasize the fact that Lagos State is a land of culture, arts and entertainment. Through this collaboration, we will be telling the entire world, what the spirit of Lagos truly represents. The story of Lagos and its cultural emancipation would be televised to the whole world with the intention of selling our rich cultural heritage to potential tourists,’’ he revealed.