Irene Eribo Ani, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ebony Ambassador UK, has revealed that her empowerment-driven beauty pageant will be celebrating its 10th anniversary on the 7th of June 2025.
She stated this during an interview with Truth Live News yesterday, Wednesday, while speaking on the motivation, benefits, and future expansion plans for the Ebony Ambassador Pageant.
Eribo explained that the pageant is a creative competition designed to empower participants through practical skills and capacity building.
A file photo of 2016 contestantsÂ
She said participants are trained in various skill areas including sewing, beading, makeup, rhinestone embellishment, graphic design, and knitting, and are also linked with mentors to help them grow their craft.
According to her, some of the participants have gone on to turn these skills into profitable businesses, while others keep them as productive hobbies.
She proudly mentioned that winners of the pageant have emerged from across Africa including Sierra Leone, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, and Zimbabwe, with Nigeria producing several winners over the years.
A file photo of 2021 contestantsÂ
Eribo also disclosed that after the 10th anniversary celebration, the pageant would be transformed into a global franchise that allows other African countries to adopt the initiative and host their own versions.
She added that all 54 African countries will be represented and their winners will converge in London around July next year for a grand international event.
Speaking on funding, she said the initiative is currently supported through a 50-50 partnership between sponsors and her organization, although she hopes that one day sponsors will fully cover the cost of the event.
She made it clear that the initiative is entirely her brainchild, inspired by her personal experience and passion for empowering people through skills.
She revealed that when she arrived in the United Kingdom, she survived and paid her way through university by offering hairdressing services, which formed the foundation of her belief in the value of skill acquisition.
She encouraged more young people to embrace skill development, saying that it can open doors and provide financial independence when least expected.
She concluded by saying that her passion for skills and empowerment remains the driving force behind the Ebony Ambassador UK initiative.
Truth Live News can confirm that the city of London will go agog on Saturday as it prepares to host the 10th edition of the Miss E.B.O.N.Y Ambassador Innovative Pageant and Award Ceremony.
The event, organized by Ebony Ambassadors UK, is designed to celebrate a decade of promoting empowerment, talent, cultural exchange and youth-led projects in the UK and Africa.
Truth Live News reports that the competition will feature a grand prize of £3,000 and, for the first time, will include international applicants.
This news agency gathered that the Ebony Ambassadors has earned awards and recognition for its impact, including Best Youth Empowerment Event at the BEFFTA Award and Best Community Event in London at the Kitenge Festival UK.
Truth Live News will be on ground this Saturday to provide full coverage of the event as it unfolds.