16 evicted leaving 25 for final of Queen Moremi Ajasoro pageant

Sixteen out of the 41 candidates undergoing training for the final of the Queen Moremi Ajasoro (QMA)beauty pageant have been evicted from their training camp in Il-Ife, Osun.

The Ambassador of the QMA , Princess Ronke Ademiluyi told the News Agency of Nigeria, in Lagos that they were evicted based on incompetency and inability to meet with the desired requirements of the pageantry.

“Forty one contestants selected from over 500 girls that registered for the contest have been in camp at the Ife Grand Resort to undergo training in different activities and tasks ahead of the grand finale scheduled for Dec.3,at Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

“The 25 out of the 41 finalists that scaled the hurdles are expected to feature on stage at the grand finale where a panel of judges will access their performances,” she said.

She said that the panel would decide the winner among them during the show that would be laced with cultural presentations ‎and displays.

The overall winner would be expected to reflect the disposition and qualities of the late iconic Yoruba legend, Queen Moremi Ajasoro.

“The eventual winner will be crowned the winner of Queen Moremi Ajasoro cultural pageant by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the patron of the pageant.

The Ooni would also give her N5 million meant for investment as part of his empowerment programme.

“The cultural event which will have other side attractions of fun and historical celebration of the late Moremi Ajasoro will also honour some personalities with ‎the Outstanding Dignitaries Achievement Awards,” she said.

Meanwhile, some of the evicted girls told NAN that they were happy to be given such an opportunity to be shortlisted for the finals.

Miss Adebowale Akanbi-Akinlade told NAN that she was sad to have been evicted.

“It was a nice time being with the other girls and the coach.

“Being evicted is not the end of the world though, it was fun, but I see no reasons for been evicted. I think I am a competitor to others who put my name for eviction,” she said.

Also Miss Olaonipekun Faizat said the time she spent in camp was a great experience for her.

She said that she learnt different things and acquired more knowledge, which she noted, would impact on her and could not be taken away from her for life.

“Thanks so much to the QMA team for the experience and knowledge impacted on us so far. I look forward to seeing a cordial relationship that will benefit both parties in future,” she said.

NAN reports that no fewer than 500 young girls registered for the second edition of Queen Moremi Ajasoro (QMA) beauty pageant.

The Ooni had earlier set aside N5million assist the first 1,000 girls that were interested in obtaining forms to participate in the cultural contest but could not afford the cost.

Participation is exclusively meant for young girls of Yoruba descent, who would be expected to sustain the historical and the thematic virtues of the legendary.

The current queen, Blessing Animasahun, a 600- level Dental-Surgery student of the University of Ibadan was crowned by the Ooni in 2016 in Ile Ife.

The contest was open to girls from ages 18 years to 25 years, of which at least one of their parents must be of Yoruba lineage from Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, Kwara and Kogi States.