Mr Austin Heaven Igwe and Miss Dorin Chidiay have been crowned as Mr. and Miss Abia beauty King and Queen.
Others who emerged along side with Miss Abia as First Runner-up was Miss Glory Ngubor as Face of Abia Tourism, Miss Dimkpa Goodness came third as Face of Abia Culture, while Mr Uko Welden was the first runner up for male category among others.
In his remark at the event which took place at Michael Okpara Auditorium Umuahia Abia State recently, the Abia state Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, commended the contestants for their enterprising spirit while the competition lasted.
Dr. Aham Uko, performing kola ritual. A
Represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Abia State, Dr Aham Uko, he added that the winners would be brand ambassadors of the state.
He commended the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barr. Tony Nwamuo for the maiden outing, charging him to sustain the event in the years ahead.
Ikpeazu who maintained that Abia is hospitable with numerous tourism sites to match wooed investors to invest in Abia, adding that the return on investment is massive.
Gov. Ikpeazu, also maintained that the winners would have government recognition, represent the youths, and counsel youths on the negative and harmful effects of drugs in the society, as well as, be the brand Ambassadors of the state.
Contributing, the Sole Administrator, Abia State Oil Producing Development Areas (ASOPADEC), Barr. Henry Chilaka, congratulated the winners, and all the contestants, for their efforts in showcasing Igbo cultural heritage and pledged his office commitment towards sustaining the event.
Sole Administrator, ASOPADEC, Barr. Henry Chilaka
Barr. Chilaka explained that ASOPADEC would adopt some of the winners to become the brand Ambassadors of the agency as a means of encouraging the youths, and developing the tourism sector.
He also awarded ASOPADEC scholarships to one of the contestants into his university education.
Chilaka, further explained that he was a lover of masquerades in his early years, noting that his agency would continue to encourage the youths, to enable them continue to promote our Cultural heritages.
Winner of Miss Abia, Dorin receiving her gift from Hon. Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barr. Tony Nwamuo
He advised them, not to allow their valuable culture to go into extinction.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barr. Tony Nwamuo, congratulated the winners and charged the to live up to their billings as Kings and queens respectively.
Nwamuo noted that the governor of Abia state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, created the platform to showcase the abundant hidden talents in the state, promote tourism, arts, Cultural heritage of the people and made in Aba products among others.
Winner of Mr. Abia, Austin Igwe, receiving his gift from Hon. Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barr. Tony Nwamuo
He congratulated the winners and other contestants for distinguishing themselves, as true sons and daughters of Igbo land, and promised that the ministry will continue to host the programme in the state.
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Highlights of the event were the performance by the old time musicians in the state, Paulson Kalu, the Apostles Rock group lead by Walter Arungwa, Geozez Jr and sister, Semi Colon, Exnel Nwaba and the leader of Sanders band group and award presentation to Abians who has distinguished themselves in the areas of Tourism, Arts and Culture among others.
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