Perhaps, what can be described as Africa’s first tertiary institutions reality television show is set to hit TV Screens this month. Named the Queen Varsity Afrika, the show is a search for Beauty+Brains across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
Speaking to a team of journalists on the show recently, the organizers, represented by Jasmine Ofoegbu who is also the Executive Producer of the show, says the programme is an initiative geared towards empowering the African girl-child and portraying her beyond just her beauty.
“Queen Varsity Afrika is geared towards empowering and equipping young African female undergraduates and fresh graduates for the future. This show is also aimed at addressing several societal issues affecting the youths. Issues such as health, safety, Self-esteem, culture, tourism, information technology, entrepreneurial skills, humanitarian outreach, etc,” she emphasized.
17 contestant , also called Princesses, from different tertiary institutions from across Nigeria and west Africa , including one from Benin Republic made it to the maiden edition of the reality television show. All contestants were taken to a boot camp where they were tutored and mentored by notable and respectable Nigerians in various fields of endeavours, including the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, making it the first time any reality TV show will feature a former two time President.
The 13 episodes programme is billed to run on NTA 2 Lagos-which is on DSTV, and Jive TV on Startimes and other online portals will commence from very soon. Viewers would have the opportunity to vote via sms short code, www.queenvarsityafrika.com and on the show’s social media pages for their favourite Princess (es) or school. The top ten Princesses with the highest votes would then proceed to the grand finale where the winner of the Queen Varsity Afrika of the year will emerge.
Speaking on the objectives of the show, the organizers noted that Queen Varsity Afrika is an empowerment programme that will avail the contestants the opportunity for self-realization, self-actualization, as well as boost their self-esteem. “The aim is to groom and empower the next generation of Nigerian/African women today as whoever empowers a woman empowers a nation.
Tagged ‘the search for Beauty plus Brains, the first edition of the show is a 13 episode family program that promises to entertain, educate and tutor both the contestants and the viewers at home. As a matter of rule, Jasmine says the reality show is a non-nudity, non-bikini show. “The aim of this reality show is to project more of what the girls have to offer intellectually and not just about their physical attributes. That is why we are positioning this show as a non-bikini and a non-nudity show.”
In addition to the experiences that the contestants also referred to as princesses stand to gain, the organizers say that there is a whopping sum N1,000,000 price for the winner at the grand finale of the show. And also , the winner and runners up would be legible to attend empowerment seminars and certifications within and outside Africa.
On the collaboration, the organizers explain that Queen Varsity Afrika is open to partnership with interested parties who are willing to join in the promotion of sustainable education and welfare of the African girl-child. “For this year, we are working in collaboration with the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB). We are ready to partner with agencies, brands and organisations who are ready to join in empowering the African Girl Child using the platform of our educative and entertaining reality TV project this edition and in subsequent ones,” She concluded.