Vivian Ebimoboere from Bayelsa beat 11 other contestants to emerge winner of 2023 Miss Amnesty Nigeria Beauty Pageant, organised by Tracy McWary Foundation.
Miss Constance Christopher of Edo is the first runner up, Emily Agundu of Abia became the second runner up, while Miss Marvin Lucky, also of Edo, took the fourth position.
Receiving her prize, Ebimoboere, commended the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Chief Timipre Sylva, the gubernatorial candidate of the APC, and Tracy McWary Foundation for organising the pageant.
She said her emergence as the winner will afford her the opportunity to a role model to young people, especially after being empowered with N1,000,000 capital to start her business as a young person.
According to her, the Miss Amnesty Nigeria is a platform for empowering young people to make them self-reliant in the society, serve as role models to others and give back to the larger society.
“So the pageant is like a stepping stone for me and I want to appreciate the organizers, and eminent judges for finding me worthy to wear the crown.
“I want to officially appreciate the sponsors of the event Chief Timipre Sylva, the Presidential Amnesty Programme for their financial support and for the success of the programme,” she said.
On her part, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tracy McWary Foundation, Miss Tracy McWary, commended the official sponsor of the pageant, Timipre Sylva, and appealed for support from individuals and corporate organisations.
She said the pageant aims to uplift Niger Delta women in appreciation of the challenges they face during times of crisis.
McWary explained that all the contestants have undergone skills capacity training and we’re assisted with starter packs to start their entrepreneurship journeys.
She recalled what happened to women during the crisis in Odi Kingdom in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa several years ago and regretted that the female gender was worse hit.
According to the pageant organiser, a lot of women lost their livelihoods, were socially displaced, and lost their farm lands, amongst other things.
“So, we brought this pageant as a way of empowering the Niger Delta women to be self-sufficient after learning various skills supported by my foundation.
“As you can see today most of the people that didn’t win the pageant all went home with something good that they can use to start earning their own money,” she said.
On his part, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) President, Mr Jonathan Lokpobiri, said that the event is very important and strategic to the IYC, as it’s all about young people of the Niger Delta.
Lokpobiri, represented by Tari Agai, commended the organisers and sponsors for empowering young people through the pageant. (NAN)