This was made known in a public service announcement dated June 24, 2022, and signed by the Commissioner of Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Don Onyenji.

According to the statement seen by SaharaReporters, the state government said that it had observed that some events including beauty pageants, and competitions, amongst others, were being designed to defraud, scam and expose participants to life-threatening and unfortunate experiences.

Whereas no specific case(s) of such claim was cited in the statement nor was any particular event exempted, facilitators and organisers of such events are required to provide their identities, type of event, their locations and other necessary information to the Ministry of Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, and receive approval before proceeding with the event.

“The Anambra State Government has observed the increasing number of beauty pageants, competitions and other related events across the state.

“Much as government welcomes and encourages such activities which ultimately contribute to the development of our culture, entertainment and tourism industry, it has also observed that some of such events end up being designed to defraud, scam and sometimes expose willing participants to very unfortunate experiences, some of which are life-threatening.

“Government, through the Ministry of Culture, Entertainment and Tourism hereby direct that all such events must be registered and approved by the Ministry for the necessary regulation of the industry to ensure best practices.

“The facilitators/organizers of such events are required to provide their identities and the type of events, their locations and other necessary information.

“Consequent upon the foregoing, anybody who intends to organize such events is directed to adhere strictly as failure attract necessary sanctions,” the statement read.