By Elohor Foghola/ Elizabeth Oduje
WARRI/Nigeria: The Executive Director of Projects on the Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Olorogun Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu, has called on beauty queens and kings across Nigeria to view their crowns as sacred symbols of grace, responsibility and authority, rather than mere ornaments of glamour.
Dr. Okorodudu gave the charge on Wednesday when he received members of the Association of Beauty Queens and Kings, Nigeria, during a courtesy visit to his office at the DESOPADEC corporate headquarters in Warri. He described beauty pageantry as a respected cultural expression that should inspire social impact.
“The concept of a beauty queen is quite rich,” he said. “We want to promote natural beauty, which is the appreciation of God for the creation of mankind. When you wear that crown, it is not just for show. You are carrying a crown of glory, a crown of favour, a crown of authority, and you must carry it with knowledge and responsibility.”
He urged the visiting delegation to deepen their humanitarian engagements, especially interventions that uplift the less privileged at the grassroots. According to him, their decision to unite under an association demonstrates “courage and belief” in their collective capacity to influence society positively.
“One of the critical roles you perform is to address areas of support for the less privileged and the grassroots. I’m impressed that you now have an association uniting beauty queens and kings,” he added.
Responding to their request for support, Dr. Okorodudu commended the group’s ongoing humanitarian projects, particularly their food distribution exercise in Okpare-Olomu, despite not receiving early notification about the visit. He assured them of his willingness to partner with and encourage their developmental efforts.
Earlier, the National Vice President of the association, Ambassador Henrietta Henry, praised Dr. Okorodudu for his philanthropy and visible contributions to grassroots development in Delta State. She highlighted some of the group’s accomplishments, which include the establishment of 26 branches nationwide, empowerment programmes for market women, free medical outreach, skill acquisition training, distribution of educational materials, the Save the Girl Child campaign in 10 states, school fee support for members, monthly fasting and breakfast banquets, and the publication of Royalty Magazine alongside the establishment of Royalty Printing Press.
Henry said the visit was to appreciate Dr. Okorodudu’s contributions to society, seek his mentorship, request his acceptance as a patron, and formally invite him to their 14th National Conference and Anniversary scheduled for November 28, 2025, in Cross River State. She also disclosed plans to honour him with the Ambassador of Youth Award, after which he would be formally addressed as Ambassador Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu.
She further briefed him on the association’s ongoing Rural Palliative Empowerment Project in Okpare-Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government Area, aimed at supporting widows, orphans and vulnerable groups through food distribution, monetary support and educational assistance. She appealed for his partnership to enable the group to expand its reach.
The visit ended with the presentation of a souvenir and plaque to Dr. Okorodudu by the delegation, which included representatives of the Association of Beauty Queens and Kings and DESOPADEC staff.
