Queen Favour Kalu Wins 2026 Face Of Itire-Ikate Beauty Pageant

Queen Favour Kalu has emerged the winner of the 2026 Face of Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area pageantry after contesting alongside 10 other participants

at the maiden edition of the competition held on Friday in Lagos.

The Chairman of Itire-Ikate LCDA, Oluwafemi Odunayo, described the pageant as the first of its kind in the council, adding that the initiative was designed

to empower young people and boost their confidence.

Odunayo said the programme was aimed at “building the youths’ self-esteem and empowering them to be relevant in society.”

He added that he expected the winner to use the platform as a stepping stone for greater achievements.

According to him, the winner should “leverage the platform as an opportunity to move to the top and achieve more in life.”

The council chairman also highlighted some of the administration’s youth-focused initiatives, noting that the LCDA had become recognised for Adire production

while several youths had received vocational training.

“In response to the diverse initiative his administration has executed in the LCDA, Hon Femi enumerated that the LCDA is now identified as a hub for Adire

and the youth have also been trained on how to make shoes, bags and given certificates to the effect,” the statement noted.

Speaking on the selection process, the Supervisor for Tourism in the LCDA, Bamgbose-Ajala Oluwabukola, said contestants were assessed based on their ability

to represent the council effectively.

According to her, the criteria included “composure, boldness, intelligence and overall, a person who can represent the LCDA adequately anywhere.”

She further said the council was taking deliberate steps to position itself as a tourism destination in Lagos through the promotion of Adire and other

commercial activities.

Also speaking, the councillor representing Baruwa Ward and member of the tourism committee, Damilare Oyenekan, said the event would help foster unity among

youths and reduce insecurity through constructive engagement.

He said the programme was important in “ensuring unity among the Itire-Ikate youths, making them understand that they are important to the society,” adding

that such initiatives could help “dwindle the rate of insecurity through the engagements of youths into such vibrant and valuable activity.”

The Head of Department, Tourism, Itire-Ikate LCDA, Oluwajumoke Disu, said the initiative was created to inspire personal growth among young people.

She said, “The actual intention of the event is to make the youths better versions of themselves.”

Disu added that the winner could go on to become “a brand ambassador, stay connected and have things to live on.”

Other winners at the event included Deborah Gbemisola Ogunniyi as first runner-up, Aminat Sanyaolu as second runner-up, and Edjo Oghenetega as third runner-up. 

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