BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has pledged the Federal Government’s support for Miss World Nigeria, Tamunosoye Karibi-George, ahead of the forthcoming Miss World pageant in Vietnam, describing aviation and tourism as critical drivers of Nigeria’s economic growth and global image.
Keyamo gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving the beauty queen and her delegation at his office in Abuja, where he said the Ministry would work with airlines and other stakeholders to support her participation in the international competition.
Leading the delegation, Team Lead, Prince Iwefa Aganaba, thanked the minister for granting the audience and sought the Ministry’s partnership in projecting Nigeria positively on the global stage through the Miss World competition.
Speaking during the visit, Karibi-George appreciated the minister for the reception and congratulated him on what she described as his achievements in repositioning Nigeria’s aviation sector.
She appealed for the Ministry’s support towards her participation at the Miss World pageant in Vietnam, noting that representing Nigeria at the global contest requires substantial logistics and institutional backing.
The beauty queen also sought support for her humanitarian project, which she said focuses on service, empowerment and national development.
Responding, Keyamo congratulated Karibi-George on emerging winner of the national pageant, describing her victory as well deserved.
“I attended the pageant not in my capacity as a representative of the Federal Government, but because of my longstanding relationship with the Silverbird Group, who had earlier this year honoured me as their Minister of the Year. It was a very tight contest and you emerged deserving of the crown,” he said.
The minister stressed that beauty queens serve as ambassadors for their countries by promoting culture, tourism and national identity on the global stage.
According to him, aviation and tourism are closely linked sectors, with each depending on the other for growth.
“For us in aviation, the basic duty of a beauty queen is to promote the image of her country and tourism. Without aviation, there is really no tourism, and without tourism, a substantial part of aviation loses its commercial appeal. When you stand on the world stage, you are not just representing yourself; you are promoting Nigeria,” he said.
Keyamo recalled the global success of Agbani Darego, expressing optimism that Karibi-George has the potential to bring similar international recognition to Nigeria.
“I believe that after Agbani Darego, we now have another very promising prospect on the world stage. We want to do everything within our powers in aviation to support you because this is also about promoting Nigeria’s image and tourism,” he added.
As part of the Ministry’s support, Keyamo directed the Director of Air Transport Management to liaise with foreign airlines operating in Nigeria to seek return flight tickets for the beauty queen under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.
He also disclosed plans to engage the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria on displaying promotional materials featuring Miss World Nigeria at selected international airports to showcase the country’s representative to arriving visitors.
The minister further said discussions would be initiated with Air Peace on a possible partnership with the beauty queen for future international engagements aimed at promoting Nigeria’s tourism potential.
The meeting ended with the presentation of souvenirs and a group photograph, as both parties reaffirmed their commitment to initiatives that promote Nigeria’s image, tourism and cultural heritage through aviation.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
