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Tag: Princess Ronke Ademiluyi

  • 30 contestants selected for Queen Moremi Beauty Pageant

    Thirty contestants have been selected out of 400 ladies, who applied to contest in the 2018 edition of the Queen Moremi Ajasoro Beauty Pageant, the organisers announced on Tuesday.

    Cultural Ambassador to the project, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the contestants were selected after a two-day screening, held at Ile Ife in Osun.

    She said that the contestants, who must be Yoruba undergraduates, within the ages of 18 to 25 years, were selected by a team of panelists, including culture icons, Woli Arole and Odunlade Adekola.

    Ademiluyi said that the contest, initiated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi Adeyeye, was aimed at promoting Yoruba culture among young women.

    “The contest showcases our culture, which is really important to His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, it encourages young ladies to discover and learn about their culture.

    “The initiative about the queen is to project leadership roles in the future of our young girls as Queen Moremi Ajasoro did during her life time.

    Read Also: Ooni to celebrate Moremi in Lagos

    “The contest showcases the strength of a woman, dating back to thousands of years, in encouraging young ladies to be selfless and committed to nation building.”

    The culture entrepreneur said that the contest, which started in 2016, commenced its third edition this year with a 10-day camping at Ile Ife.

    “The contest this year commenced in Ile Ife and the grand finale will be held in Abeokuta in Ogun State.

    “The rationale for Abeokuta is to rotate hosting of the cultural event in different Yoruba states every year. In 2016, it was held in Ife. In 2017, it was held in Lagos and the 2018 edition will be held in Abeokuta.”

    According to Ademiluyi, the choice of Ogun is because of the interest of the wife of the Governor of Ogun, Mrs c, who supports the Ooni of Ife, in promoting Yoruba culture.

    Ademiluyi said that the winner of the contest would go home with a brand new car to be provided by the Ife monarch.

    “There is also a cash prize from the QMA Impact Investment Fund. In addition, the winner automatically becomes a young culture ambassador to the Ooni and the House of Oduduwa.

    “She will also enjoy the privilege of becoming a part of the royal entourage for foreign trips,” the project ambassador stated.

    Ademiluyi recalled that the winner of the maiden edition, Miss Blessing Animashaun, was in the royal entourage to UK last year, while the winner in 2017, joined the royal team to Brazil and the U.S. earlier this year.

    Out-going Queen, Miss Shola Shittu, who graduated with a first class degree in automobile engineering, won various awards during her reign.

    Shittu championed the fight against trafficking of young ladies and made tours to various schools, offering scholarships to indigent students in Lagos communities.

    NAN

  • Ambassador warns girls to stop seeking greener pastures abroad

    Ambassador warns girls to stop seeking greener pastures abroad

    The Queen Moremi Ajasoro (QMA) Heritage Ambassador, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, has advised girls to shun promises of working abroad.

    She said this would in most cases result into selling them into slavery or turned them to sex workers.

    Ademiluyi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that the advice became imperative because of the incessant cases of many Nigerian young girls being sold into slavery in Libya and other countries.

    “As we celebrate Christmas and prepare to enter into the New Year, many of our young girls will be planning to travel abroad by any means.

    “Parents, schools and the media have a role to play in educating young girls on the risk of false promises of working abroad being spread by some young men.

    “When they get abroad, the story will change as they may  end up being used as housemaids, sex workers and even turned into slaves,” she said.

    The ambassador said that there were still many young ladies from Nigeria trapped in Omar and Libya, who were longing to return home but were being held hostage by Libyans against their will.

    Ademiluyi said that the QMA Foundation would commence a massive campaign for young people in 2018 by visiting schools to educate them on the risks of travelling abroad without having genuine missions.

    According to her, this call is what the legendary Queen Moremi  Ajasoro (QMA) fought against during her life time, when she stood against child trafficking and slavery of women.

    The princess recalled that the legendary queen risked her life for the survival of her people then.

    Ademiluyi said that this was one of the major reasons why the QMA Foundation decided to join the “Say no to slavery and supports empowering girls and women who had been victims of modern day slavery”.

    “One of the reasons for the establishment of the foundation is for it to be a cultural and empowerment pageant and that led it to discovering a young lady, during our pageant camp in Ife.

    “The story of the young lady caught our attention as it was so sympathetic, and when it was presented to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, he decided to sponsor her university education,” she said.

    NAN reports that Queen Moremi  was a legendary freedom fighter who fought for the liberty of her people from slavery, rape and child trafficking

  • Nigerian fashion designers to kit 2017 Queen Moremi

    Nigerian fashion designers to kit 2017 Queen Moremi

    A veteran fashion designer in London, Mary Martin, will join eight Nigerian fashion designers to kit the 2017 Queen Moremi Ajasoro (QMA) cultural pageant in Nigeria,  Princess Ronke Ademiluyi has said.

    Ademiluyi, ambassador to QMA and founder of Africa Fashion Week, Nigeria and London spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the upcoming Miss Moremi Ajasoro Cultural Pageant in December.

    The cultural promoter said that the fashion labels featured  at the African Fashion Week held in  London in August.

    They are Becca Apparel, Godwin Green, Luvita Creations, BgCouture, Moshuga, Stiches, Blingshiki and Mary Martin London.

    “These fashion labels will be creating several looks and outfits for the 35 lucky girls who will be shortlisted out of over 500 registered contestants in QMA Pageant in December,” she said.

    According to the global ambassador for the project, the designers will tap into the cultural trends of the Yoruba heritage to create contemporary styles for the contestants.

    “The veteran London fashion label, Mary Martin, will be one of the designers that will be showcasing their designs by kitting the contestants in an African style.

    “Mary Martin of duo origin, Nigerian and Caribbean, who studied fashion in London, also featured in 2015 Mercedes Benz International Fashion Week in Accra, Ghana, and  honoured the best designer in Africa will be there too.’’

    She said that “Becca Apparel” though an upcoming Nigerian designer, also a London-based fashion label, focused on combining African prints with contemporary trends to create a unique style for women.

    ”The other Nigerian designers include, Blingshiki, unconventional fashion, hippie, futuristic and Africa-inspired label, Godwin Green Couture, Lagos based, and STITCHES, a unique peculiarity with an unequalled vibe, zeal and passion.

    “Others are BG Couture, exclusively for men and woman in quintessentially Nigerian look, MOSHUGAH, specialised in women’s wears, Luvita Creations, combines African prints and western fabrics for men and women,” she told NAN.

    Ademiluyi, who is also a lawyer, noted that all the selected designers were known for their unique styles, tailored toward promoting African fabrics and designs.

    “The QMA Pageant was designed not only to promote beauty and culture but also to empower young ladies between the ages of 18 and 25,” she said.

    Meanwhile, Ademiluyi said that the outgoing queen, Animasahun Blessing, a final year student of the Department of Dental Surgery, University of Ibadan, from Ila-Orangun, Osun state had visited over 10 schools during her reign.

    “Animasahun has been involved in a lot of activities during her tenure which include visits to motherless homes, health awareness, secondary schools outreach and enlightenment on careers, skill acquisitions and on rape.

    “She also visited the UK to promote our culture and tradition and is currently working on visit to handicapped schools and supporting their basic needs in giving back to the society.

    “She will be launching Child Alive Foundation, which will involve empowering children from ages zero to 18,  renovating schools, encourage girl child education and to bring out the talents embedded in them,” she said.

  • 8 Nigerian designers to kit 2017 Queen Moremi in London

    8 Nigerian designers to kit 2017 Queen Moremi in London

    A veteran fashion designer in London, Mary Martin will join eight Nigerian fashion designers to kit the 2017 Queen Moremi Ajasoro (QMA) cultural pageant in London, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi has said.

    Ademiluyi, ambassador to QMA and founder of Africa Fashion Week, Nigeria and London spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the upcoming Miss Moremi Ajasoro Cultural Pageant in December.

    The cultural promoter said that the fashion labels for QMA that would also feature in the African Fashion Week in London are Becca Apparel, Godwin Green, Luvita Creations, BgCouture, Moshuga, Stiches, Blingshiki and Mary Martin London.

    “These fashion labels will be creating several looks and outfits for the 35 lucky girls who will be shortlisted out of over 500 registered contestants in QMA Pageant in December,” she said.

    According to the global ambassador for the project, the designers will tap into the cultural trends of the Yoruba heritage to create contemporary styles for the contestants.

    “The veteran London fashion label, Mary Martin will be one of the designers that will be showcasing their designs by kitting the contestants in an African style.

    “Mary Martin of Duo Origin, Nigerian and Caribbean, who studied fashion in London, also featured in 2015 Mercedes Benz International Fashion Week in Accra, Ghana, and  honoured the best designer in Africa will be there too.’’

    She said that “Becca Apparel” though an upcoming Nigerian designer, also a London-based fashion label, focused on combining African prints with contemporary trends to create a unique style for women.

    ”The other Nigerian designers include, Blingshiki, unconventional fashion, hippie, futuristic and Africa-inspired label, Godwin Green Couture, Lagos based, and STITCHES, a unique peculiarity with an unequalled vibe, zeal and passion.

    “Others are BG Couture, exclusively for men and woman in quintessentially Nigerian look, MOSHUGAH, specialised in women’s wears, Luvita Creations, combines African prints and western fabrics for men and women,” she told NAN.

    Ademiluyi, who is also a lawyer, noted that all the selected designers were known for their unique styles, tailored toward promoting African fabrics and designs.

    “The QMA Pageant was designed not only to promote beauty and culture but also to empower young ladies between the ages of 18 and 25,” she said.

    Meanwhile, Ademiluyi said that the outgoing queen, Animasahun Blessing, a final year student of the Department of Dental Surgery, University of Ibadan, from Ila-Orangun, Osun state had visited over 10 schools during her reign.

    “Animasahun has been involved in a lot of activities during her tenure which include visits to motherless homes, health awareness, secondary schools outreach and enlightenment on careers, skill acquisitions and on rape.

    “She also visited the UK to promote our culture and tradition and is currently working on visit to handicapped schools and supporting their basic needs in giving back to the society.

    “She will be launching Child Alive Foundation, which will involve empowering children from ages zero to 18,  renovating schools, encourage girl child education and to bring out the talents embedded in them,” she said.

  • Princess Ronke Ademiluyi hits it big

    Princess Ronke Ademiluyi hits it big

    To first-time observers, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi comes across like a swan gliding gracefully across the face of a pool. The London-born Nigerian woman of Ile-Ife origin looks both elegant and vibrant, two qualities she shares with the legendary Moremi, the Ife heroine and most famous woman in Yoruba history.

    But she also shares with Moremi the virtue of bravery. At a time many people looked down on African products as if nothing good can come out of the continent, Princess Ademiluyi took the bull by the horns and launched the Africa Fashion Week, a project that showcases the very best of African fashion to the rest of the world. Since its inception a few years ago, the event has become the largest of its kind anywhere in the world.

    With great exploits comes great attention, and no less a person than the monarch of Ile-Ife has been paying attention to her meteoric rise. Having identified her as someone worthy of carrying on the legacies of Queen Moremi, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has appointed her as the heritage ambassador of the Moremi Ajasoro legacy.

    With this appointment, Princess Ademiluyi is now the living embodiment of Moremi with the responsibility to promote and safeguard the legacies of the great African heroine.

  • Ooni appoints Princess Ronke Ademiluyi as Ambassador

    Ooni appoints Princess Ronke Ademiluyi as Ambassador

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has appointed Princess Ronke Ademiluyi as the Heritage Ambassador for Queen Moremi Legacy as part of his efforts to add value to the Yoruba culture .

    Oba Ogunwusi  in a copy of the letter made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos said that Ademiluyi was appointed  the official representative of Moremi, the African Heroine, having been at the forefront of promoting the African culture for years.

    “Ademiluyi, founder of Africa Fashion Week, London and Nigeria, you are  appointed in recognition of your  efforts in promoting the largest international gathering that celebrated African fashion,“ he said.

    The traditional ruler said that by the appointment, Ademiluyi was expected to develop sustainable avenues that would boost the legacies of Queen Moremi.

    “The African promoter’s responsibility is to seek strategic partnerships and collaborations and also generate and design activities that will promote and sustain the iconic Legacies of Moremi.

    ” We need to reawaken the legacy of the impact of the traditional icon which was trying to go into extinction if not salvaged,” the Oba said.

    Ogunwusi noted that Queen Moremi remains an indelible new dawn of great awakening for the development of the Yorùbá culture.

    Ademiluyi reacting to the appointment told NAN that the engagement was very central to the mission of Oba Ogunwusi ‘s  global reenactment of the Yorùbá culture.

    Ademiluyi added that the appointment had tasked her to set out a roadmap on how this vision would be delivered and also build passions of amazing heroism.

    She noted that the statute of Queen Moremi was currently, the third tallest in Africa.

    The lawyer noted that promoting African culture and Yorùbá in particular through fashion dispensed Africa originality and creativity to global stage.

    She said that her initiative as the Ambassador of Queen Móremí would focus on the re-launch of second edition of Moremi beauty pageant to be known as the “Queen Móremí International”.

    “In actualisation of this great commission which Oba Ogunwusi  has entrusted to me, I have resolved to bring together an array of stakeholders globally to support the preservation of Queen Móremí’s  name and what she stood for while alive.

    “I will protect Queen Móremí’s 12th Century iconic legacy as a contemporary torch bearer of Yorùbá culture and heritage globally,” she said.

    According to her, the Queen Moremi pageant, launched in October 2016 in Ile Ife,Osun, produced Blessing Animasahun as the maiden queen who is the cultural aide to the Ooni both locally and internationally.

    She said that the second contest would be holding in October in Ile Ife which would be her first task as the Ambassador of Queen Moremi Legacy.

    Ademiluyi noted that the queen had become the new Amazon of Queen Moremi for her great courage, boldness and sacrifice which she did for her people in her lifetime.

    “The indelible and heroic legacies of Queen Moremi will continue to endure in the chronicles of both Yorùbá and world histories.’’

    Ademiluyi said she would bring up initiatives towards the age-long sustenance of Queen Móremí legacies, that would encourage our females emulate her bravery.

    She also said that women needed to make themselves available for challenging roles in modern society, adding that Moremi’s personality remained unique in the world and would continue to remain an important point of reference.

    Ademiluyi recalled that Moremi Ajasoro was a brave and pretty queen, who in order to solve the problems facing her people, sacrificed anything she had to  the spirit of “Esimirin’’ River on behalf of the Oodua race.

    She said that Moremi’s sacrifice then  helped her to discover the strength of the enemies of the Oodua people and led to the Oodua warriors to conquer them during her lifetime, she .

    “She was a heroine, who liberated the people of Oodua land from faceless invaders who sought to enslave them,’’ she said at the forefront of promoting African culture,’’ she said.

  • Princess Ronke Ademiluyi moves on

    Armed with the knowledge that worry does not take away tomorrow’s troubles but only takes away today’s peace, beautiful Princess Ronke Ademiluyi is not given to worries at the moment. The social diva has metamorphosed into a big fashion entrepreneur and big promoter of African fashion on the global scale through her annual platformAfrican Fashion Weekin London.

    Begun about five years ago, African Fashion Week has today become an event that stakeholders in the fashion industry look forward to. The tales of her intended marriage to Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, has been firmly dumped in the dustbin of history.

    Princess Ademiluyi has grabbed life by the lapel, making fate do her biddings.