…Charges them on tolerance – By Eno-Obong Akpan

The 2024/2025 Akwa Ibom Heritage Beauty Queens and Kings led by the Cordinator PEG Africa, Eno Edward recently paid a Courtesy call on the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Grace Akpan in her office, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, Uyo.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, warmly received the delegation of the Beauty Queens and Kings to the Ministry, having known and being familiar with their distinguished backgrounds, she assured in confident that the organization will explore in the reigning administration of the ARISE Agenda, led by Pastor Umo Eno.

Mrs. Akpan while applauding the organizers for uniting youths of the organization by creating the vision and showing the sense of belonging, appreciated the Proginator, Princess Emem Essien for taking pageantry industry to a greater level and wished them success in their endeavors.

Speaking further, Mrs. Grace Akpan admonished the Queens and Kings to tolerate one another as they carry out their responsibilities respectfully in other to achieve their goals, stressing that the Ministry will continue to foster unity, collaboration and support their activities. She therefore urged them to put up their best in all endeavours.

She congratulated ladies for making the vision of pageantry one of its kind and pledged for continuous use of their platforms to complement the tourism drive in Akwa Ibom State.

Speaking earlier, Eno Edward, the coordinator of PEG Africa, who led the delegation said that as the number one tourism pageant in the state, it was necessary to formally introduce the Beauty Queens and Kings to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.

On her part, the Akwa Ibom Heritage Queen, Queen (Barr.) Christiana Ukeme reiterated her commitment in partnering with the Ministry in driving tourism potentials in the State and by extension, Nigeria particularly at a time like this when there is dire need for diversification.

While appreciating the state government for hosting a memorable Christmas Unplugged 2.0 which gave each local government area an opportunity to revive their cultural heritage and bring them to life, she presented her score card for the year, to include a proposal for a One month free Culinary Training in Akwa Ibom.

Queen Christiana Ukeme thanked the Permanent Secretary, for the audience and further appealed for support from the Ministry to push the vision of the ARISE Agenda, while looking forward to having the organization as an integral part of future activities of the Ministry.

Information/PR Unit
MCT