By Prisca Sam-Duru

The keenly contested 14th edition of the Miss Niger Delta Peace Cultural Pageant came to a resounding close with Deborah Ibeinmo Alfred emerging winner. She defeated 21 other contestants to win the prestigious contest which held at Dr Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

She went home with a brand new car and an undisclosed amount of money. Other winners include Idahosa Ucharia (Model for Change), Chidinma Ucharia ( Face of Beauty), Emese Nichole Emuvoke ( Pride of Niger Delta), and Oreke Regina Ijeoma (symbol of Talent).

Artistes that thrilled and entertained guests include Sound Force band, Mr Idea, Fortune, Arinze Baba, Miss J, Daniel West, Gordons, Double J, Jaywon, Wonder Boy and Harrysong.

Elated Alfred said: “I am grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to win the competition. This is a dream come true.” She promised to use her position to touch the lives of people in the region positively during her reign.

Chief Executive Officer of Miss Niger Delta Organisation, Prince Sodin who was satisfied with the outcome of the pageant said: “The show and post event projects are centered on re-orientation of values, socio-cultural integration, peace promotion, talent and skill development, capacity building for self reliance, self employment and empowerment of female youths in the region.”

He added that the pageant show is not all about funfair of crowning beauty queens but a programme aimed at assisting female youths from the region to play their roles as young ambassadors for peace and development in the country.

He recalled that since its inception in 1999, the show had produced 13 beauty queens and some of the titles include: Ambassador for Peace and Development, Symbol of Talent, Model for Change, Face of Beauty, Pride of Niger Delta and Miss Niger Delta in Diaspora. These beauty queens he disclosed have used their positions and offices to add values to life as well as promote change and transformation in the region as role models.

He urged both governments and its agencies, corporate organisations as well as stakeholders in the Niger Delta region to support this laudable initiative which is complementary to various projects and programmes aimed at transforming the region as expected.

A representative from Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) promised that they will continue to support the Miss Niger Delta Organisation because it is a laudable project that has brought peace in the region.

Dignitaries at the event include Bar. Turner, Special Adviser on Youths, NDDC), Solomon Diepriye from Bayelsa Tourism Board, Barr. Francis O. Francis ( Vice President (ABPON) and Prof. Efere, Rector Bayelsa Institute of Tourism and Hospitality.