QMA Cultural Pageant: Celebrating the virtues of Moremi Ajasoro

The impact and strength women exhibit in the human race to forge ahead cannot be over-emphasised, dating back to the historical existence of Queen Moremi Ajasoro, who selflessly broke all protocols just to restore and secure freedom for the Yoruba heritage.

Based on this, the wife of Ogun State Governor Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun recently hosted a pageant branded Queen Moremi Ajasoro (QMA) Cultural Pageant, in commemoration of the iconic queen’s legacy for Nigerian youths, especially adolescent women to take charge of their life whilst reaching for the sky without limitation.

The event, which was sponsored by House of Odudwa Foundation, took place in Abeokuta, Ogun State recently as an evening of cultural and historical celebration, with the full presence of Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his wife, the host, who was named Moremi, for displaying virtues of the great queen Moremi Ajasoro, not leaving out his imperial majesty Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife (Ojaja II) who led a host of royalties from the nook and crannies of the southwest to the event.

The gathering of royalties and people of means was entertained with series of presentations aimed towards correcting the ills of the society by 28 young contestants from the varieties of Yoruba land who were gorgeously dressed in the cultural attire. There was chanting of praises to Almighty God in the Yoruba dialects, contemporary songs, ethnic eulogy and a monologue dedicated to the evergreen queen Moremi Ajasoro.

Top 10 contestants were selected from the 28, while five were eventually shortlisted, crowning Miss Adedamola Toluhi, an English language student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ife, the winner of the pageant with a grand prize of N1million and a brand new Toyota Camry car.

Toluhi, who appreciated the Ooni of Ife and Mrs. Amosun for the opportunity of being crowned the new queen, said she feels blessed and never expected to win. “At a stage I lost hope of winning cause there were a number of other brilliant and beautiful contestants” she said, adding that some people assume enrolling in pageantry drags one into immoral and unethical deeds, but the QMA Cultural pageant was nothing like that.

“I solely enrolled online and the entire procedure till this level of my win was credible.”

Toluhi further revealed to newsmen that she intends to open an entrepreneurship company during her tenure which began that night, to help young ones, and also invest in young ladies who have been molested, raped and those carrying unwanted pregnancy.

The first runner up Agara Oluwatoyin won N750, 000, second runner up Adejuwon Oluwaseyi won N500, 000 and all the other contestants went home with a consolation prize of N200, 000 respectively.

On the selection criteria, princess Ronke Ademuluyi, Global Cultural Ambassador to Queen Moremi Ajasoro, revealed that amongst other criteria, the girls were asked questions in relation to Queen Moremi Ajasaro’s history and virtuous lifestyle.

Speaking at the event, Ooni of Ife, who appreciated Governor Ibikunle and his wife for their immense input in Ogun State and the QMA Cultural Pageant, said the celebration was first-of-its-kind, while noting that the state is rapidly developing beyond Lagos. “This Governor is the best Ogun State has ever produced considering the rapid development in the state,” he said.

Governor Amosun in his speech appreciated all the indigenes of Yoruba for propagating the Yoruba culture. “I also appreciate the Ooni and all Yoruba for honouring my wife with the name of the great Queen Moremi and dedicating QMA Cultural Pageant to her,” he said.

The governor who ensured all his conversations were spoken in Yoruba language without code mixing English language said, “it is important for Yoruba people to ensure that the language is well spoken at home and abroad.” He then appreciated the Ooni for his kind words and encouragement whilst promising that Ogun State would become a tourist centre.