by crossriverwatch admin
The Chairman of Obudu Local Government Council, Hon. Emmanuel Ikwen has commended the organizers of the Obudu Face of Culture event for the bold initiative of promoting the endangered cultures of Obudu.
The Chairman, represented by his Vice, Mrs. Agnes Atsu made the commendation while on a visit to the pageants in the camp at Obudu, yesterday. The visit was made in company of some members of the council executive including the Special Assistant, SA, on Tourism, Mr. Casmier Undie and the SA Due Process, Mr. Emmanuel Aben.
On the chairman’s arrival at the camp at Top Choice Lodge, Obudu, the campers were being trained on basic make up skills.
And while pledging his administration’s support for the event which he acknowledged has become a major resuscitator of the Obudu culture, Hon. Ikwen charged the competing queens to be well behaved and to position themselves as true ambassadors of the Obudu people all through their camping period.
Addressing the contestants, who had begun camping since Monday this week, the Chairman, said “I want all of you to know that from the day you stepped into this premises for the camping you became ambassadors of Obudu even before the contest proper.
“The decision itself is not an easy one; you knew that you were coming out to face the entire world may be to be crucified;
“But it depends on your own characters too; your attitudes, your characters will either make the people of Obudu embrace you or push you away from their sides”
The chairman also commended the parents of the contestants for the trust they reposed on the organizers by allowing their children to participate in the Obudu Face of Culture contest this year.
Also speaking the Special Assistant to the Chairman on Tourism, Mr. Casmier Undie while reemphasizing the importance of culture as the basic necessity of the Obudu people, he admonished Mountain Cinema, the organizers of the event to continue to promote the Obudu culture despite the huge challenges associated with organizing such events stating that the event will in the future pay off for both the organizers and the Obudu people.
On his part the Special Assistant to the Chairman, Due Process, Mr. Emmanuel Aben, while wishing the contestants well in the period of the contest, also commended the event for the training and exposure it is rendering the contestants asserting that the grooming the pageants are enjoying was important to position them against various exploitation females face.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the CEO of Mountain Cinema, Mr. Frank Akpeke lauded the council for the support the event has been enjoying since its inception in 2012.
He described the success of the yearly pageantry event as a demonstration of the support it enjoyed both from the council and the people of Obudu.
Mr. Akpeke appealed for stronger support to boost the Obudu culture event. High point of the visit was offering of prayers by the Chairman and a photo session with the contestants.
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