Encomium
+What they didn’t tell you about the Friday, July 18 exciting pageant
DJ HUMILITY NEVER STOPPED THE FUN
Top DJ, Humility was at his best, dishing out songs to suit the varying mood of the event. And he never stopped the fun till guests left the hall.
TIMI DAKOLO ALSO PERFORMED
Though he wasn’t initially introduced as an act, Bayelsa’s most popular act, Timi Dakolo emerged to entertain the top five contestants. He stirred controversy when he picked each of the contestants to dance with him as if he was revealing the winner of the pageant.
A WEEK OF FUN AND FANFARE
Those who had been in Yenagoa in the last few days confessed it was indeed fun galore, not only for contestants but those who stormed the oil-rich state for pleasure and leisure.
KUDOS TO BAYELSA STATE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AGENCY DG, MRS. EBIZI NDIOMU BROWN
The lady running the Bayelsa State Tourism Development Agency, Mrs. Ebizi Ndiomu Brown was generally commended for the innovations she brought to the agency saddled with the responsibility of positioning Bayelsa as a tourist destination. And the director general who is as humble as it goes, aware of this had assured the state governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson that it is achievable.
Hence, her commitment to all-state sponsored events like the just concluded MBGN.
In her short speech, Mrs. Brown welcomed guests to the state while advising the pageant organizers to allow states to be involved in selecting their representatives. She was also full of praises for the governor whom has in only 29 months, proved that a good leader makes all the difference.
“Bayelsa invites the world, come invest, come work, come visit. Come let us spoil you with our goodness,” she said in a goodwill piece entitled, Discover Bayelsa, the Glory of all Lands, in the MBGN 2014 event brochure.
SILVERBIRD’S MESSAGE
We didn’t tell you that the vice president, Silverbird Group also posted a welcome speech. He first welcomed guests to the 27th edition of MBGN. He boasted they have in over 26 years produced beauty ambassadors who have represented Nigeria at various international events including MBGN 2001, Agbani Darego, who became Miss World that same year, the first black African to win the prestigious title.
He also said MBGN is the longest running and most consistent pageant in Africa!
He revealed that this is the first time a state would be sponsoring the pageant twice in a row (Bayelsa sponsored MBGN in 2013).
He then went on to thank Governor Seriake Dickson, for his support, the Commissioner for Tourism and Development, Hon. Julius Otele, Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Dr. Felix Tuodolo and Director General, Bayelsa Tourism Development Agency, Mrs. Ebizi Brown, who he said has been very supportive of the event.
While commending the 30 contestants, he restated that the winner will represent Nigeria at the Miss World pageant taking place in London, England on December 14, 2014. He didn’t forget that the first runner-up would be going for Miss Universe. These events, he said would be broadcast live on the Silverbird Dream Network.
Guy Murray-Bruce thanked the outgoing MBGN 2013, Anna Banner for a time well spent during her reign. He said she touched the lives of many orphans through visits to orphanages as well as schools and empowering young girls.
MEET SILVERBIRD DIRECTORS
The President of Silverbird Group, Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce runs the entertainment empire with five directors. They are Michael Murray-Bruce, Francis Murray-Bruce, Roy Murray-Bruce, Philomena Murray-Bruce and Guy Murray-Bruce. Together, they have successfully organized MBGN over the years.
THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
The bulk of work that goes into MBGN is co-ordinated by a team of seven professionals. They included the chairman, Bola Salako and six members: Haresh Samtani, Alozie Uzoukwu, Maureen Obiabumuo, Augusta Ufford, Derek Dauni, Victoria Eze and Agnes Keke.
ABOUT THE JUDGES
This year’s pageant had a seven-man panel of judges. Ini Ibene Okorie, CEO, Mattini Group of Companies was there. There was also May Ikeora, Ph.D, first runner-up MBGN 2003, Miss ECOWAS 2003-2005 and founder, ThinKnowAct Initiatives UK and Raising Girls in Nigeria Project.
Also on the panel was Mrs. Gbemisola Awoniyi-Foloyan, CEO, Cool Breeze Water Safety Limited; Eniye Ambakederemo, DG, Bayelsa State Partnership Agency and chairman, Aero Contractors, Garth Deacon; former producer, MBGN, Sylvia Nduka, MBGN 2011, CEO, Sylvia’s Hair and Face of Sylvia Hair Pageant (FOSH) and Mr. Nigeria 2007, Bryan Okpara.
MARYAM ELISHA’S RIKAOTO WAS FASHION CONSULTANT TO MBGN 2014!
Ex-beauty queen and serial entrepreneur, Maryam Elisha consulted for MBGN 2013, Anna Ebiere Banner. If you looked at the pageant’s brochure you would find out that the former queen wore a Rikaoto brand. The lovely piece was a Rikaoto abstract brown patterned gown with handcrafted fascinator.
– Stories and interviews by UCHE OLEHI who was in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
