By Adekunle Williams
Surulere Local Government in Lagos State says the 2026 Heritage Pageant marks the start of another exciting journey to celebrate beauty, intelligence, culture, and leadership among young women in the area.
Chairman of the council, Mr Bamidele Yusuf, said this during the fourth day of the pageant audition held at the council secretariat in Lagos on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the pageant audition, which began on Monday, is with the theme: “Win Big • Wear the Crown • Make History”.
The competition is organised by Surulere Local Government and endorsed by the state Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
Yusuf, represented by his Vice Chairman, Mr Muiz Dosunmu, encouraged young women to take advantage of the pageant to display their talents, intellect, and cultural heritage.
He said the winner would receive N1 million, an all-expense-paid trip to Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, and the title of official ambassador representing Surulere at the Miss Lagos Pageant.
The chairman added that the first runner-up would be awarded N1 million, and the second runner-up would receive ₦500,000.
Yusuf said the pageant was aimed at celebrating Surulere’s rich cultural heritage while empowering young women to become ambassadors of leadership, excellence, and community development.
The chairman noted that the pageant transcended the conventional understanding of a beauty contest.
“The Miss Surulere Heritage Pageant is more than just a competition—it is a platform designed to amplify the voices of young women, preserve our rich cultural roots, and inspire positive community impact.
“The pageant is expected to feature a series of activities, including mentorship sessions, cultural showcases, leadership development programmes, and community engagement initiatives.
“All of these will lead up to the grand finale, where one exceptional contestant will be crowned Miss Surulere Heritage 2026.”
According to him, 32 participants will be interviewed by the panel of judges as part of the selection process, showcasing their confidence, communication skills, and passion for representing the cultural values of Surulere.
According to Yusuf, the pageant is a platform for personal growth, confidence building, and community development. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Folasade Adeniran