Miss Ebira, Queen Monica Osheyiza has mentioned “drug abuse” as the hallmark of her campaign during her reign as Miss Ebira for 2019/2020.
Miss Queen Monica who officially announced the end of her reign in a thirty-six ( 36 ) paragraphs speech also thanked God for making her reign a huge success.
Let us read her full speech:
” The journey of a thousand miles truly begins with a step and this step for me was taken when I purchased a form to join other contestants in the race for the crown of the Miss Ebira Nigeria 2019/2020 where I emerged as the Face of Ebira Nigeria (first runner up).
It was with mixed feelings that I accepted to be crowned as Miss Ebira Nigeria 2019/2020 following certain events from which the queen before me was deposed and I was made to serve in her stead in June, 2020.
I picked up this mantle in good faith and vowed to exercise my duties with due diligence in all humility and respect for my culture, my people and humanity.
My tenure in office was dedicated to fighting against the menace and ills of DRUG ABUSE in our society.
Drug abuse stands as the root of so many societal ills.
This is a well-known truth due to the high rate of criminal activities in the society and the compatibility found between the abuse of drugs and the crime rate present today.
The fight against drug abuse manifested in various forms during our campaign.
The campaign lasted for a period of four months, and it had various phases.
We started with an online sensitization on various social media platforms, educating people on the ills and effects of drug abuse.
A very notable part of our online sensitization is the virtual symposium which was held on the zoom app with the topic: “MENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT OF DRUG ABUSE ON TODAY’S YOUTHS”.
This held on the 2nd day of September, 2020 and we had guest speakers such as Dr. Hope Omeiza (president of Vanguard Against Drug Abuse) as well as Mr. Bonaventure Michael who is also in the medical profession.
They did justice to the topic and we recorded an impressive number of attendees during the symposium.
Next was a tour to selected secondary schools across the three senatorial districts in Kogi state sensitizing the students with the topic: “DRUG ABUSE AND THE FUTURE”.
The tour went round to seven schools namely:
1. Universal Basic Secondary School, Lokoja.
2. The Apostolic Faith Secondary School, Ayetoro.
3. Bedrock International Secondary School, Anyigba.
4. Our Lady of Schools, Anyigba.
5. St. JohnBosco Comprehensive Secondary School, Okene.
6. Government Science Secondary school, Ogaminana.
7. N.I.O.M.C.O Staff Secondary School, Itakpe.
We partnered with Edushine Educational Support Foundation to carry out the outreach programme and we recorded a high rate of success as we got warm reception from the staff and students of the schools listed above. we distributed writing materials to the students as a token of appreciation and also in a bid to aid learning.
Because drug abuse also manifests in the process of taking drugs without prescriptions as well as taking overdose of drugs, my office collaborated with the Kogi State Medical Students’ Association to carry out a medical outreach programme.
This was held on the 20th of December, 2020 at Cottage Hospital, Nagazi.
About 180 persons were registered and we attended to about 152 patients at the end of the day.
The programme featured free medical consultation, free testing as well as the distribution of drugs to those who drugs were prescribed to.
The campaign against drug abuse doesn’t end with my reign as Miss Ebira Nigeria, it continues and I pledge to continue on this path.
I appreciate God Almighty, who has seen me through this journey which is coming to an end today.
I travelled a lot within the year, people travelled for and with me and I never for once recorded any casualty, for this, I am grateful.
I appreciate the organizers of Miss Ebira Beauty Pageant Nigeria, particularly Miss Princess Onize Megida for this platform.
May God bless and reward you all.
I extend my warm greetings to the dear people of Ebira Land who have supported this platform in various ways.
I thank my family members, friends, well-wishers and benefactors who have given me support in all ramifications.
I specially thank Her Excellency, Queen Sefiya Musa, C.E,O Edushine Educational Support Foundation, for her contributions and goodwill.
I send a million thanks to the Kogi State Medical Students’ Association, Dr. Hope Omeiza, Mr. Paul Adubazi and every other person who has supported me in one way or another, I love you all.
To those who have emerged as Queens, the crown only symbolizes the strength and pride of womanhood you carry inside of you.
Make the crown worthwhile and exude the values and qualities embedded in you.
I, Queen Monica Osheyiza Umeche, with all sense of gratitude and joy announces the end of my reign as Miss Ebira Nigeria 2019/2020.
Thank you all”.
