The Chairman Akwa Ibom Hotel and Tourism Board, Mr. Ini Akpabio, has urged Mr. and Mrs. Akwa Ibom, who emerged winners in the recently concluded pageant contest to be good ambassadors of the state.
He gave the admonition when Glimpse Charity Foundation, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Unyime Akpan, paid a courtesy visit on the board, Wednesday in Uyo.
Akpabio expressed excitement to the foundation for not disappointing the state after being given the franchise to organise the pageantry.
“I want to thank Glimpse Charity Foundation and all of you who took the time and were very daring to embark on the show.
“Whatever may have been the issue or challenges you may have encountered in the course of the pageantry, all I have to say is thank you for pulling off Mr. and Mrs. Akwa Ibom.
“I want you (Mr. and Mrs. Akwa Ibom) to conduct yourselves with dignity as you are now representing the state. There are places where you are not expected to be found. And, I want to assure you all that this year’s pageantry (2023) will be bigger with greater support than last year,” added.
In her remarks, Mrs. Akpan commended the Board Chairman for releasing the franchise to her to organise the pageantry.
She stated that though there were challenges in the course of organising the pageantry, the experiences gathered in the process will enable her to be highly successful in future shows.
Speaking with Blueprint, the Winner of Mr. Akwa Ibom, Gerrard Johnson, who hails from Ibesikpo LGA of the state, said he was driven by passion into the contest, adding that leverage on his new position to build up talented youths in modeling and fashion.
Also, the winner of Mrs. Akwa Ibom, Miss Mary Urum said that her expectation in her position is to project the Akwa Ibom tourism sector to the world and also embark on humanitarian services.
