The Lagos State Government has pledged to support winners of the Miss Surulere Beauty Heritage Pageant beyond the competition, with opportunities for partnerships, community projects and wider government-linked initiatives.
The state’s Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Idris Aregbe, gave the assurance while interacting with contestants and stakeholders during a courtesy visit to Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja yesterday.

Aregbe said the government was prepared to support contestants who demonstrated commitment and capacity to use the platform to promote tourism, culture and community development.
He said the contestants should not see the pageant merely as a contest for a crown but as an opportunity to develop ideas and initiatives capable of making lasting contributions to society.

“You can do much. It depends on where we are standing. I think you have self-capacity, and also the power of association,” Aregbe told the contestants.
He urged them to take ownership of their ideas and turn them into practical programmes, stressing that they could use their visibility and networks to champion causes within their communities.

Aregbe also encouraged the contestants to remain connected to Surulere and preserve the community’s identity, saying their roots should remain part of the legacy they build.
“When you think of Surulere, what comes to mind? Surulere is a small city, a cool, passionate city. My request to you: hold on to that identity. Don’t let it be lost,” he said.

He advised the contestants to learn from people who contributed to Surulere’s development and maintain relationships that could help them sustain their projects. “Your own identity is what people will remember you by,” he added.
Aregbe said government support would extend beyond the eventual winner, stressing that contestants who showed readiness and potential would also be considered for future opportunities.

“We pledge our full support to the contestants. There will be a partnership with our Chinese partners and other partners for the eventual winner. However, our commitment does not end there. We will also work with those who show readiness and potential, even if they do not emerge as the winner,” he said.
He also assured the organisers of support with necessary approvals and documentation, saying relevant processes would be handled in collaboration with the organisers.

Aregbe said efforts would also be made to ensure that the Lagos State Government and partners remained involved in major events associated with the initiative.
Calling on the contestants to aspire to make a difference beyond the competition, he said, “Give us a queen who will inspire us to do more. You are the face of Surulere.” He added: “The crown is temporary, but the impact is permanent.”
Meanwhile, the Show Producer, Mr. Adebayo Adegbe, said the contestants were undergoing training designed to prepare them for both the pageant and responsibilities that could follow afterwards.

Adegbe said they were being trained in etiquette, poise, speech, public speaking and catwalk, adding that the programme was intended to build their confidence and help them discover their potential.
He said the contestants would also have opportunities to meet role models and engage with local government officials on tourism, thereby creating opportunities for learning and networking.

According to him, the contestants had met with the Local Government Chairman, who assured them that the council was willing to work with any contestant with a viable plan or project that could benefit the community.
Adegbe disclosed that the winner would receive a ₦1.5 million cash prize, while the first and second runners-up would receive ₦1 million and ₦500,000 respectively.

He added that additional prizes worth about ₦2 million would be distributed among other participants, while the winner would also receive a three-day stay at the Transcorp Hotel.
Beyond the prizes, Adegbe said there would be opportunities for the winner to participate in wider government-linked projects, with further opportunities potentially extending beyond Nigeria.

He expressed confidence in the contestants, describing them as intelligent and capable of representing Surulere effectively.