As part of the activities laid down in celebration of the Ibadan Cultural Festival Week, The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) organised a talent hunt and beauty pageants for youths in Ibadan.
The event which was tagged ‘Orekelewa Brain and Beauty Pageant and Ibadan Got Talent’ respectively was held on Friday at Ibadan house, Ibadan the Oyo state capital.
Speaking with Nigerian Tribune, President General, CCII, Barrister Sulaimon Ajeniyi Ajewole stated that the event is aimed at showcasing the beauty and brains of ladies in Ibadan.
He added that the event was organised was organised to scout for talent which would be promoted for higher achievements.
Ajewole further stated that the event is also meant to eradicate thuggery while divulging CCII ‘s plan to build a vocational training centre for the benefit of youths in Ibadan.
He said “This programme is a twin programme, we are showcasing beauty and talents in Ibadan, we organised the event to scout for talents in Ibadan, so any talent discovered at the end of today will be promoted for higher achievements.
“We want Ibadan youths and youths in general to know that there are positive ways of gaining things in the society, we want to eradicate thuggery among youths.
“We are already planning to establish a vocational training centre for Ibadan youths to learn skills, this will believe will eradicate thuggery and other bad behaviours in the society.
Also in an interview with journalists, Chairman, Planning Committee of the event, Balogun Ojetola stated that Ibadan Got Talent was adapted from the British Got talents, to discover and develop hidden talents.
Ojetola noted that the event is aimed at helping the participants discover, develop, improve and promote their talents.
He said “The Ibadan Cultural festival started about 30 years ago, Ibadan Got Talent was adapted from the British Got Talent a programme I got to know while in the United Kingdom, so I felt we can also start something of such here in Ibadan, when I became the chairman planning Committee of Ibadan Cultural Festival Week.
“Today you will see our youths exhibit different talents and we hope at the end of this programme real talent will emerge.
“This event is aimed at helping youths discover, develop, improve and promote their talents. The beauty pageant “Orekelewa” is meant to instil confidence in our beautiful children that they can showcase their talents and beauty without exposing their body
“We are trying to help our children develop themselves in concept and quality without exposing themselves, they have to be modest and be an Omoluabi that an Ibadan indigene and Yorubas should be.“
Winners at the Ibadan Got talent hunt include Uthman Abdulateef while winners of the Orekelewa beauty pageant include, Temide Ogunrinde.
The event also witnessed the decoration of Alhaji Kazeem Olaniyan as the Ambassador of Ibadan Culture.
In an interview with the awardee, Kazeem Olaniyan appreciated the organiser for the honour and he pledged to do more towards promoting culture among the youth.
Also in an interview with the winner of the Orekelewa Brain and Beauty Pageant, Temidun Ogunrinde appreciated the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes for the opportunity given to contest and win while she promised to promote the culture of Ibadan with her new role.
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