The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, has urged Miss Independent Nigeria, Queen Better Blessing to champion initiatives promoting a safer, stronger and prosperous Nigeria.
Azinge made the call while receiving the beauty queen and her delegation in Asaba on Friday.
He said genuine leadership is measured by purposeful service, integrity, compassion and consistent commitment toward improving lives and strengthening national development.
Azinge encouraged the beauty queen to transform her crown into a platform for inspiring hope, expanding opportunities and promoting inclusion, stressing that influence achieved significance only through meaningful contributions to society.
The traditional ruler expressed concern that many Nigerian children still attended schools without sandals, uniforms or school bags.
He described the situation as unacceptable in spite of continuous calls for improved educational welfare nationwide.
Azinge recalling earlier years, observed that several Nigerian states once provided free education.
The traditional ruler urged governments and stakeholders to revive policies guaranteeing equal educational opportunities for every deserving child.
He lauded the ‘Barefoot Foundation’ the initiative of the queen for distributing sandals to pupils and students across Asaba.
Azinge described the intervention as a timely support capable of restoring dignity and encouraging regular school attendance mong beneficiaries.
The traditional ruler reaffirmed commitment to supporting educational institutions throughout Asaba communities .
Azinge emphasised that quality education remained the strongest foundation for sustainable development, national progress and future economic prosperity.
He also challenged the beauty queen to promote campaigns advancing freedom, youth empowerment and citizens’ welfare.
Azinge insisted that enduring national growth depended upon sacrifice, patriotism, responsible leadership and dedicated public service.
”Nigeria possesses enormous human and natural resources capable of transforming the country into a prosperous nation through visionary leadership, discipline, accountability and collective commitment from every citizen, ” he said.
Earlier, the beauty queen Better thanked the Asagba for the warm reception, describing his remarkable contributions to peace, education, youth development, cultural preservation and community advancement as worthy of national admiration.
She explained that the visit was organised to donate school sandals and exercise books to pupils and students, supporting the traditional ruler’s educational vision through the humanitarian interventions of the Barefoot Foundation.
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The beauty queen also sought the blessings of the Asagba for the successful implementation of the outreach programme.
She expressed confidence that the initiative would positively impact children throughout the Asaba community.