Meet the Queens of Africa…

The following article is unusual yet an interesting one ; these two adjectives shouldn’t be found in the same sentence but I tell you, this is the case of QUEENS OF AFRICA! Growing up especially for girls had to experience a ‘doll’ moment (no pun intended) .. Barbie dolls, Annabelle dolls and the several blonde dolls that we ALWAYS wished for their kind of hair were indeed in every girls’ possession. However, a young man of Nigerian heritage has refused to come to terms with the characteristics these blonde-blue-eyed dolls portray. Taofick Okoya the brain behind Queens of Africa didn’t think it appropriate that African Children grew up playing with these dolls but not actually gaining values or being able to relate to these dolls. He then came up with the Queens of Africa project which is mainly targeted at helping the average african child effortlessly relate to Being Black and Being Beautiful..

Nneka!

Black is beautiful, most of us agree, but a lot our children own or grew up with white dolls, with blonde hair blue eyes etc. she is told black is beautiful but when she is she of age does she really believe so? Considering the fact that she grew up with white dolls? Our children are exposed to a lot of western vibes both positive and negative. Yes there scope is broadened with greater understanding but how about key things like morals and cultural values? A lot is lost under the guise of being cool and fashionable.

Wuraola

The Queens of Africa project as like every other project has its AIMS and DREAMS in order to meet targets and achieve goals:

Aim:

–The dolls serve as an object of affection for both girls and boys.

–The importance of education is emphasized

–Moral and ethical values heightened

–Virtues of love peace and endurance are encouraged

The Dream:

–Our dream is to present to Nigerian child, a Nigerian doll ; They can identify with and teach them more about things that will help them be a better person in society

-We plan achieve the educative part via comic book, music, competitions and queens of Africa fans club among others.

Azeezah

Who is the Queen of Africa? (According to the ‘Queens of Africa’ project team)

She is the model who has been able to rise above societal and family limitations and now exhibit characters of love peace and endurance.  She is the girl child who passing through her levels of choice relationships and the information she has access to. She is the empowered girl child who uses her developed virtues of love peace and endurance to help influence the world.

Taofick Okoya

The ‘Queens of Africa‘ project team intend to achieve their goal of grooming the children as queens that will become role models.