Miss Laura Iyama Crowned "Virg-in Girl of the Year" at 2025 Iria Ceremony in Rivers State

Miss Laura Iyama has been honored as the "Virgin Girl of the Year" during the 2025 edition of the ancient Iria ceremony in Ogu Kingdom, Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers State. The event, which unfolded on Saturday, December 6, underscores the enduring significance of this rite of passage for young women in Ijaw communities.

The Iria festival, a revered tradition dating back to the 16th century, serves as a ceremonial initiation marking the transition of eligible young women—typically those aged 18 and above—into adulthood and readiness for marriage. Exclusive to a select few Okrika communities, including Ogu, the festival emphasizes values of chastity, cultural education, and communal pride. Participants, known as "Iriabo," undergo a rigorous preparation process that includes seclusion in a "fattening room" for nourishment and instruction in traditional etiquette, before a public display of maturity.

Miss Iyama, selected from a competitive field of maidens, distinguished herself through the festival's multifaceted evaluations, earning the prestigious title of *Oguapu Tonye*. This accolade not only celebrates her personal virtue but also elevates her status within Ogu Kingdom and the broader Wakirike (Okrika) society, where it symbolizes exemplary womanhood and familial honor. Community leaders, including Chief Adokiye Ochemiebia Chuku, the acting traditional head of Ogu Kingdom, highlighted the ceremony's role in preserving the rich cultural tapestry of the Ijaw people.

The 2025 Iria drew widespread attention, with social media abuzz over images of the elaborately adorned participants, their bodies painted in symbolic motifs and clad in traditional attire. As one of only two active sites for the Iria in Okrika, Ogu Kingdom continues to champion this practice amid evolving modern influences, ensuring its legacy for future generations.