The Lagos State Government has praised the 2008 *****Sisi Oge**** of Lagos, Miss Damilola Otubanjo, for organising the Beauty Contest for the People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH), saying the project would remove stigmatisation and complement government's efforts.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Opeyemi Bamidele, gave the commendation while receiving the beauty queen in his office. He charged beauty pageant organisers not to parade only beautiful faces, but should extent their programmes to cover excellent minds and people with philosophical understanding of topical issues.

While assuring Otubanjo of government's support, Bamidele urged her to use her position to alleviate the plights of the less-privileged in the society.

"At a point when a lot of youths are disillusioned, it is always a thing of joy to see some of them being passionate about contributing their quota to the task of nation building," Bamidele said.

He also called on government at all levels to pay greater attention to the intellectual development of the youth at the foundation stage.

"Government at all levels should appreciate the handicap of the youth and offer them good education at the foundation stages of their lives," he stated.