Miss Laura Iyama, has emerged the ‘Virgin Girl of the year at the 2025 ancient Iria ceremony held in Ogu Kingdom, Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers State. 

The annual Iria festival, one of the most revered traditional rites of passage for maiden daughters in Ijaw land, was held on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

After a keenly contested contest among the maidens, Miss Laura Iyama was crowned the Iria Virgin Girl of the Year 2025 and bestowed the prestigious title of “Oguapu Tonye.”

The newly crowned Oguapu Tonye, Miss Laura Iyama, has been widely praised for her representation of the timeless beauty and strength of the Izon woman.