Oluwatosin Shola-Shittu, 22, an undergraduate of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, emerged the new winner of the Queen Moremi Ajasoro Beauty Pageant in the early hours of Monday, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

The new queen emerged at the grand finale of the show held in Lagos after a 10-day camp at the Grand Resort, in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

NAN reports that Shola-Shittu, an Automotive Engineering undergraduate, took over the reign from the first and outgoing queen, Blessing Animashun.

Animahaun, a 600-level Dental-Surgery student of the University of Ibadan, was crowned by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in 2016 in Ile-Ife.

NAN also reports that 28 contestants slugged it out at the final following the eviction of 13 candidates that went for the training at Ile Ife.

NAN also reports that 41 candidates were shortlisted out of the 500 that obtained forms to participate in the event.

The contest, sponsored by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, was open to young ladies from ages 18 years to 25 years, of which at least one of their parents must be of Yoruba lineage from Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, Kwara and Kogi States.

Oba Ogunwusi, who is the grand patron of Queen Moremi Ajasoro, presented to the new queen a N5 million investment fund and a brand new saloon car.

He also pronounced her the Cultural Ambassador to his throne for one year.

Responding, the 500-level undergraduate told NAN that she was overwhelmed by the results because she saw it as a reward for hard work.

Shola-Shittu said: “I feel great, I am short of words because I see myself as a testimony for hard work, it proved that nothing can be achieved without hard work and determination.”

The new queen said she would focus on the upliftment of the younger generation as soon as she assume office.

She said: “I am kicking off with projects for school children and youths, I have a tour-to-schools programme where I will encourage the pupils on the essence of hard work, teach them that nothing can be achieved without patience and hard work.”

The Heritage ambassador to QMA, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, while presenting the new queen to the Ooni, said the House of Oduduwa project was an empowerment for young girls who might have thought all hopes were lost.

Ademiluyi said: “The foundation is concerned about the lots of young ladies who might be victims of human trafficking, rape, assault and gender discrimination and finds alternative for their survival.

The House Of Oduduwa also honoured some distinguished personalities with Outstanding Achievement Awards at the colourful and cultural oriented event.