As a proud daughter of the creeks, it meant a great deal to share this journey with the state that shaped part of who I am.
Queen Tamunosoye Karibi-George paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, as part of her continued preparations to represent Nigeria at the 73rd Miss World Festival in Vietnam. The visit was framed around a simple idea: that purpose finds strength in partnership.
For a queen whose identity is rooted in both Bayelsa and Rivers States, this visit closed an important circle ahead of her departure.
Here is what the visit meant to her, and what came out of it.
A Proud Daughter of the Creeks
Queen Soye described the visit as a meaningful reminder that her journey has never been hers alone. As a proud daughter of the creeks, she shared her path to the Miss World stage, the vision behind the Beyond Labels Initiative, and her desire to represent not just Nigeria, but the resilience, excellence, and spirit of Rivers State on the global stage.
That framing carried weight beyond a formality. Rivers State is deeply tied to her own identity, and bringing her platform directly to its leadership reflected the same instinct that has shaped much of her reign: honour the places that shaped you before carrying their name further afield.
A Governor’s Assurance of Support
Governor Fubara received Queen Soye and her delegation warmly, offering thoughtful words and an unwavering assurance of support for both her journey to Vietnam and the work being done through the Beyond Labels Initiative. Queen Soye described his encouragement, his confidence in her vision, and his commitment to empowering meaningful initiatives as gifts she does not take lightly.
One moment from the visit stayed with her in particular: the Governor’s reminder that the journey belongs to all of us, and that every success is shared by everyone who has believed, supported, and contributed along the way. It is a sentiment she has said she plans to carry with her as she continues preparing for Vietnam.
Building on a State’s Legacy
The visit also carried symbolic weight tied to Rivers State’s own history with pageantry and public representation. By meeting directly with the Governor ahead of her departure, Queen Soye positioned Rivers State’s leadership as an active part of her preparation, rather than a distant well-wisher watching from afar.
Carrying the Hopes of Rivers State and Nigeria
Queen Soye closed the visit by thanking the Governor for believing in her vision, for his fatherly counsel, and for standing with her as she carries the hopes of Rivers State and Nigeria to the world. That dual framing, representing both a state and a nation at once, has become a consistent thread throughout her courtesy visits to political leaders across the Niger Delta.
Two States, One Shared Story
This visit followed a similar courtesy call Queen Soye made to Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri earlier in her reign, and the parallel is not incidental. Her identity draws from both Bayelsa and Rivers States, a connection Governor Diri himself addressed directly during her Bayelsa visit, describing her as an Ijaw daughter of both states without division between them. Meeting with Rivers State’s leadership as well ensured that both parts of her heritage were formally acknowledged and engaged ahead of her departure for Vietnam.
That approach reflects a broader pattern in how Queen Soye has built her platform: rather than choosing one state to represent publicly while quietly setting the other aside, she has treated both as equally central to her story, visiting each in turn and inviting both to stand behind her journey.
What Partnership Looks Like in Practice
Beyond the symbolism, the Governor’s assurance of support carries practical weight. State-level backing can translate into visibility, resources, and continued attention for the Beyond Labels Initiative long after the pageant season ends, particularly for programming that reaches communities within Rivers State itself. Queen Soye’s visit was as much about securing that ongoing partnership as it was about the courtesy of the moment.
Follow the Journey
This visit adds to Queen Soye’s growing list of courtesy calls to state leadership ahead of her departure for Vietnam, each one reinforcing the network of support behind her Road to Miss World. This site will continue to document each stop along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Queen Soye visit the Governor of Rivers State?
She paid a courtesy visit to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to share her journey to the Miss World stage and the vision behind the Beyond Labels Initiative, ahead of representing Nigeria in Vietnam.
What did Governor Fubara say to Queen Soye?
He assured her of his administration’s support for her journey to Vietnam and for the Beyond Labels Initiative, reminding her that the journey belongs to everyone who has believed in and supported it.
How did Queen Soye describe her connection to Rivers State?
She described herself as a proud daughter of the creeks, expressing her desire to represent the resilience, excellence, and spirit of Rivers State alongside Nigeria on the global stage.
