Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has flagged off the 2013 Imo beauty competition tagged Ada/Opara Imo beauty pageant which has over 1,200 Imo youths in participation.

Flagging off the competition at Ahiajioku Convention Center over the weekend, Okorocha re-emphasised on the need to focus on Igbo culture and identity, acknowledging that as theaim of the competition.

He noted that the competition is designed to showcase Imo cultural heritage and further accord a sense of belonging to Imo sons and daughters in the rural areas. He tasked members of the organising committee to ensure that participants are indigenes of the state.

Governor Okorocha maintained that harnessing hidden potentials in the communities would aid government in driving development at the grassroots, creating awareness and encouraging healthy competition among Imo youths.

He announced a first prize of a brand new car and a trip to South Africa while the runner-up gets a million naira and a trip to Abuja, with N500,000 and a weekend relaxation at Concorde Hotel Owerri for the second runner-up.

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Community Government Council, Hon. Barr. Ugochi Nnanna Okoro, pledged on behalf of her team to give their best to actualise the vision of the governor in grassroots development.

Meanwhile, it was jubilation galore in Umuopia-Akokwa community, Ideato North LGA, as Governor Okorocha commissioned an international market built by the community. The governor the development as a clear case of rescue mission in action.

He commended Umuopia people for imbibing in the spirit of the community government, pointing out that funding such a magnificent project of international standard without the contribution of government demonstrates sacrifice and commitment which have positioned Umuopia as a progressive community.

Okorocha maintained that Imo State is on a fast track of development, adding that his administration would continue to harness the state resources to ensure total development in the state.

He announced the release of a million naira to the community to encourage them for further development.

Earlier in his address, the traditional ruler of Umuopia community, HRH, Eze Don Opuruozor, said his community had conceived and followed the gospel of Okorocha’s rescue mission administration which propelled their self-help attitude as yielded in the international market.

In his remarks, the secretary of Umuopia Community Government, Sir Tony Okpara, described the international market as a bye product of good thinking and awareness championed by Umuopia executive which unites the people of the area towards development.

He disclosed that the community is also constructing a central water scheme project which is 95% completed, pointing out that Umuopia community is working hard to succeed in line with the rescue mission philosophy of the Okorocha administration.

•Photo shows Governor Okorocha.