Niger-Delta Cultural Pageant strips Queen for misconduct

The second runner-up of the 2021/2022 edition of Face of Niger-Delta Cultural Pageant (FONDCUP), Miss Grace Ekrakene, has been stripped of her crown, based on alleged gross misconduct.

In a statement by FONDCUP Nigeria Limited and Ethel Women Initiative, organisers of the pageant, they expressed sadness and regret for taking such action, which according to them, “had to be done in order to address the former queen’s excesses, using a disciplinary measure to curb her misbehavior.”

The organisers say they have used other friendly measures to attempt addressing the issue but their efforts haven’t yielded any meaningful solution, as Ekrakene did not pay attention to the various counsels to ensure that the moral values and cultural norms imbibed by the organisation be projected.

The Convener of the cultural pageant, Miss Elizabeth Era, explained that the FONDCUP Pageant was initiated to change the face of the beauty pageant, as they aimed at effecting a positive change on societal values about pageantry and equally promote the country’s cultural heritage and values.

Era added that the organisation provided the necessary resources and an enabling environment, where the young maidens had gained empowerment, enlightenment and equally embraced the importance of having uniqueness, diverse cultural heritage and values, preaching peace and togetherness in the region.

“We are changing the wrong narrative people hold against the Niger Delta region, so any form of misconduct faces a disciplinary sanction. Niger-Delta indigenes who were known for militancy, kidnapping, conflicts, and other vices, also had their unique cultural heritage, values and other potentials to uphold,” she noted.

The Manager of the queens, Mr. Anugboba Ehijiele in his statement said, “Due to her (former queen) misconduct, her position and benefits as the 2nd is hereby withdrawn from her. She is no longer a crowned queen or a member of any sort of the FONDCUP brand henceforth.”