In a continent where women’s voices are often silenced, King Jerry Nrialike is emerging as a powerful force for change. As co-producer of Queen of Africa, a collaborative effort by LFC International Production Limited, Uto Umuokpu Anambra USA Women Association, and Christian Ruart Fashion Group, New York Fashion Week Experience, he is bringing together 54 extraordinary women from across Africa to compete for the prestigious title of Africa’s First Lady.
Queen of Africa is co-produced by King Jerry Nrialike and Chief Lady Gina Orazu, President of Uto Umuokpu Anambra USA Women Association. With a passion for empowerment and a commitment to excellence, Nrialike is redefining what it means to be a leader in Africa. With a deep understanding of Africa’s complexities and a passion for women’s empowerment, Nrialike is on a mission to amplify the voices of African women. In this exclusive interview, with MARY NNAH, he shares the inspiration behind Queen of Africa, his vision for the show, and what makes him believe it’s a game-changer for African women
What sparked the idea of Queen of Africa, and what’s the potential impact you’re hoping to achieve with this concept?
What inspired it was just the cry. I was tired of the cries of the people in different aspects, in the old circle, with no voice, no help, nothing.
I grew up in a place where we must support ourselves to be able to lift a voice, and without a voice, you’re nobody in Africa, in general. So this came about from a desire to assist, to serve the people.
I didn’t just start this project; it was a divine call from God. He told me, ‘My son, I want you to know that I’m going to use you to raise an Esther of this continent. A queen that can actually serve to save a lot of people, a lot of Africans who are passing through a lot of pain around the world.’
So it’s the mission that we are going to succeed in. It’s not just about me; I’m just part of the production team. I just see myself as a vessel that God is choosing to be able to unite others for us to work on this together.
So, we are really about to give back and save a lot of people and lend a voice to actually let our cry be heard.
Also, a vision can be inspired by one, but you can’t actualise that big vision alone. And that’s the reason why we are, about three producers, of this beautiful, magnificent project. So we have LFC International Production Limited, Uto Umuokpu Anambra USA Women Association.
The Uto Umuokpu women are highly respected; they are of value. They know exactly what this mission is about. And we also have Christian Ruart Fashion Group, New York Fashion Week Experience. Christian Ruart is an international producer.
We are here to serve the people. We are not here to steal from anybody; we are not here to glorify ourselves. What we want to do is serve. It’s not us serving, but the Queen serving her people. We can only build a voice and let the voice act and lead us to action. So this is what we are about. We are not just any people.
This team is powerful enough to actually sustain this project every two years. This is not a project; it is an election to win. Without your vote, your country is not going to win.
Why are you focused on empowering women and girls?
It is not just about focusing on empowering women and girls, it’s about what we call Africans. Yes, we have women, we also have children, and there’s a call to action on that aspect, too. We have men, and men go through a lot.
We know that Africa, as a continent, deserves a strong voice, beyond just individuals speaking out on specific cases. So, what we are about and what we want to do is lend our strength, unite, and have a core mission to help a lot of people who need help. We are looking at development, hospitality in general, entertainment – areas where we can make a real impact, and where things are already happening in this part of the world. Helping people is a major call to action, but apart from that, there’s a lot that we want to achieve in Africa. And women are a major part of that call to action. You know, women are a strong force; they are the major people who can actually bring this to light.
Can you share some insight into the selection process?
The selection process targets women between 25 and 40 years old. We’re looking for individuals who are articulate, beautiful, and intelligent, with a clear vision and the courage to stand up for their people. You need to be authoritative, strong, and fearless – someone who can break barriers and shatter glass ceilings. If you are not solid, you won’t make an impact. We want women who can speak out, save their people, and lead with power and conviction.
What opportunities do contestants have during the show and after the show?
The opportunities are vast and numerous. The selected queens will experience a lot, gaining exposure and benefits from our sponsors, enjoying perks and freebies, and serving as proud ambassadors of their countries. Being an ambassador is a significant role – they will be icons, celebrated and voted for by their nations, representing their countries on a grand stage. They will also represent the Queen of Africa in their respective countries, acting as our major directors and points of contact for future seasons. This strategic partnership will enable us to channel help and benevolence effectively, making it easier to achieve our goals. With a dedicated office and a traveling queen, we’ll be able to visit African countries, meet with people, and provide assistance where it’s needed most – because, truly, Africans need help, and we’re committed to making a difference.
What important message do you have to send out to sponsors and participants?
One thing you must know is that without sponsors, it’s difficult, but we’re going to get there. We need sponsors to act, to move, and to take up space – sponsors who understand the value of a people’s cry. Right now, we have a few sponsors like Innoson Motors and Seahorse, and we have written to many others. We have our advertising agency, Insight Publicis, which is in charge of our marketing for sponsorship. We want this to be achieved, and we are going to achieve it. We have our coordinator also looking for sponsors around the continent, so we are not only limiting ourselves to just Nigeria. But it would be a shame if, in a country that is hosting the project, major companies are not on board for sponsorship.
How affordable is the registration?
Registration is very affordable, so I’m sure you can grab a form wherever you are. This is our first season, and we are eager to help you connect with the right people and make a real impact. It’s about building, lending voices, and creating something beautiful – development, service to humanity… there’s so much to gain through Queen of Africa
What exactly is at stake for the winner of the competition?
The Queen is getting a car, courtesy of Innoson Motors, who are customizing a beautiful vehicle just for her. This is an exclusive gift, tailored to her majesty’s taste. Additionally, she will receive a star prize of $50,000, apart from the freebies and consolation prizes up for grabs. This prize package is designed to make her reign truly unforgettable.
When are you thinking of kicking off the show? Will it be based in Nigeria, and what makes someone eligible to win?
We have already launched the registration form, and it will be open for the next three months. We’re aiming to ensure we get the right candidates. The show kicks off in June and wraps up in September – that’s when it’ll hit TV screens. The form is live on our website, and screening starts in May.
Nigeria’s the giant of Africa, we all know that, so it’s no surprise most of our participants are from here, but we’ve got contestants from other countries too.
Queen of Africa will be broadcast on every channel, and it’s free to watch – we want to reach as many people as possible so they can vote. It won’t be on 24/7, just a specific time slot daily, so you can catch it after work.
Contestants are coming from all over, one per country, and to qualify, you need to speak your country’s native language, plus English or French. You have to be beautiful, smart, intelligent, and have a well-rounded profile – basically, you’ve got to have that queenly presence, charisma, and poise. Know how to comport yourself, and have some creative flair – sing, act, something. But ultimately, it’s the viewers’ choice – they pick who represents Africa.
The Queen will be traveling extensively, representing Africa, meeting presidents, world leaders, and more.
When the Queen of Africa emerges at the end of the competition, what will be her core responsibility during her reign?
When the Queen of Africa is crowned, her primary role will be to serve as a global ambassador for Africa, promoting the continent’s rich culture, values, and achievements. She’ll travel widely, engaging with world leaders and advocating for African interests. As a role model, she’ll inspire young Africans and promote unity and development across the continent.
It’s an election, where people decide who becomes queen – her core responsibility will be to cater to Africans worldwide. She’s a symbol of beauty, talent, and brains, but also service to humanity. Like a president serving their people, she’ll be a voice for Africans globally, promoting unity and development. Her role is about giving back, learning, and amplifying the voices of Africans everywhere.
You said Queen of Africa isn’t a pageant. How do you select contestants before public voting? And how do you attract talented women to apply?
The screening process will be zonal, covering the four zones in Africa. But before that, we’ll be showcasing contestants on our social media handles. To qualify, you’ll need to send in a video introducing yourself after registration, followed by a walk video – we want to see your personality, how graceful you are, and your confidence. Nothing revealing, just your bold and vibrant self. We’ll be looking at your overall presence, strength, and how you carry yourself.
How are you going to balance the entertainment, luxury, and real empowerment in this experience?
We have assembled a highly skilled and experienced team, comprising creative professionals, seasoned producers, and esteemed partners. With over two decades of experience in the industry, we possess a profound understanding of the beauty, fashion, and entertainment sectors, as well as established relationships with key stakeholders. As such, we are confident that Queen of Africa will be a resounding success. Our strategic plans have been meticulously developed and will be executed in a systematic and thorough manner, ensuring the achievement of our objectives. We have a clear implementation roadmap, and each phase will be carefully planned and executed to ensure the success of this initiative. Our extensive industry experience enables us to navigate this project’s complexities with ease and deliver an exceptional outcome.
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