Abia State governor Okezie Ikpeazu has counseled youths in the state on the negative and harmful effects of hard drugs to the society, adding that it could jeopardise their future.
Ikpeazu stated this at the maiden edition of the state Beauty King and Queen competition organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in Umuahia, the state capital.
While Mr Austin Heaven Igwe and Miss Dorin Chidiay were crowned as Mr Abia and Miss Abia respectively, Mr Uko Weldon emerged as the runner-up to Igwe.
The 1st and 2nd runners-up to Chidiay, Miss Glory Ngubor and Miss Dimkpa Goodness were crowned as Face of Abia Tourism, and Face of Abia Culture respectively.
Represented by the state commissioner for finance, Dr Aham Uko, he said the winners would receive government recognition, represent the youths, and be brand ambassadors of the state.
Ikpeazu, who maintained that the state is hospitable with numerous tourism sites, used the forum to woo investors to the state, adding that the return on investment is high and attractive.
Similarly, the sole administrator, Abia State Oil Producing Development Areas, Barr. Henry Chilaka, lauded the ministry for showcasing Igbo cultural heritage and pledged his office’s commitment towards sustaining the competition.
Announcing a scholarship award to one of the winners up to university level, he added that the commission would adopt some of them as its brand ambassadors to encourage the youths and to develop the tourism sector.
Speaking earlier, the commissioner of the ministry, Barr. Tony Nwamuo, congratulated the winners and charged them to live up to their billings as king and queen to justify their status.
Nwamuo noted that Ikpeazu has created the platform to showcase the abundant hidden talents in the state, promote tourism, arts, cultural heritage of the people and made-in-Aba products among others.
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