Encomium
The 39th edition of the oldest pageant in Nigeria, Miss Nigeria held on Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event had in attendance past winners of the pageant, most especially the winner of the debut edition in 1957, Mrs. Grace Oyelude.
The prestigious event had on display a celebration of beauty, brain and intelligence.
ENCOMIUM Weekly presents to you happenstances from the event…
THE OPENING CEREMONY
The voice of veteran broadcaster Olisa Adibua loomed large from the back stage welcoming guest to and kick starting the 39th edition of Miss Nigeria followed by a sonorous rendition of national anthem by a tall damsel in neatly tailored African fabric. The chairman’s opening speech followed suit before the titillating dance steps from SPAN, a group that entertained. The event proper started at 9:20pm.
ABOUT MISS NIGERIA 2015
After a one year break, the organisers of Miss Nigeria beauty pageant, Daily Times Nigeria Plc, commenced the search for the 2015 Miss Nigeria. 66 contestants were selected across Nigeria to compete for the crown with an online voting which started Monday, October 19, 2015 and ended on Wednesday, October 21, 2015. Nigerians voted for their desired contestants until they were streamlined to 36 who were camped and trained in entrepreneurship skills before the unveiling of the winner on Saturday, November 7, 2015.
WHY MISS NIGERIA IS DIFFERENT
After resting the pageant for more than a year, the mother of all pageants in Nigeria witnessed a metamorphosis from being just a beauty pageant to a pageant where mothers will be proud to accompany their daughters. A non-bikini pageant that celebrates beauty and brain.
With highlights on entrepreneurship training by Bank of Industry, contestants were also offered opportunity to present business ideas that could them get a loan worth millions of naira from Bank of Industry. This year’s event was tagged Metamorphosis: where beauty and brain blossom.
THE HOST
Pretty newly wedded Osas Ajibade and Yibokoko were the comperes of the show. The duo ensured a smooth sail for the event.
Osas was dressed like an angel. She had a flowing white gown on while her partner, Yibokoko wore a black suit, white shirt and a black bow tie.
THE MOST COVETED PRIZE
It was a winner takes all affair. Miss Nigeria 2015 winner went home with N3 million, a Kia Rio car which is her own. She would also be pampered with an official car. Three lucky contestants chosen by Bank of Industry for innovative business ideas also went home with N5million loan each to finance their business.
STUDIO 24 USHERS
It was obvious they were co sponsors of the event. Slim, tall ladies garbed in knee length black gown were all over the hall. Some of the beautiful tall ladies stood at the entrance of the hall welcoming guests with impeccable smile at the venue of the 2015 edition of the Miss Nigeria pageant.
Numbering up to 10, they ensured guests were well taken care of and comfortably seated.
ARTISTES WHO PERFORMED
11 year old rapper, popularly known as Youngstar was the artiste that opened the night’s show. The petite king of swagger proved to all that he knows his onions. Guests couldn’t help but admire the carriage and talent of the young guy. He seemed ready to catch up with those ahead of him.
Five Star Music act Harrysong also gave a good account of his talent. The rendition of his Reggae Blues along with the boss of Five Star Music, Kcee was a delight to the ears. Even Ruth Osime, Mai Atafo couldn’t help but chorus the song along with them, while other judges nodded to the melodious tune. It was obvious the duo stole the show.
Yemi Alade also thrilled with Nagode. She performed with so much zeal and expertise. She adorned her usual signature hair style and an ankara gown.
THE JUDGES
It was a 13 man panel consisting of men and women of reputable pedigree in their chosen profession. Of course, a former beauty queen was also among them, Helen Prest Ajayi, Chioma Ude, Betty Irabor, Adebola Williams, Audu Makori, Ruth Osime, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Mariam Mohammed, Mai Atafo, Joy Chukwurah Offor, Jumoke Adenowo, Isoken Ogiemwonyi and Wunmi Ogunbiyi decided the fate of the 36 contestants, judging them according to their performance, social outlook, intelligence, amongst other attributes.
HOW THE WINNER EMERGED
It was a keenly contested event but the judges ensured the best girl emerged the winner after a lot of deliberations and assessments.
At a point, there was a tie and the judges had to cast their votes for the best contestant before the winner eventually emerged.
Contestants were screened from 36 to top 10.
Miss Osun, Delta, Jigawa, Zamfara, Ekiti, Oyo, Cross River, Sokoto, Anambra, Benue were the top 10 contestants. After a series of questions and answers, the contestants were pruned to five. Miss Oyo, Cross River, Anambra, Jigawa, Osun made it to up five.
With another round of questioning, the first runner up, second runner and winner eventually emerged.
WHO WON WHAT
Pamela Peter Vigboro emerged the winner of 2015 Miss Nigeria pageant. She took home a Kia Rio, N3 million and a lot of freebies.
Itunu Adeyemi representing Jigawa state was the first runner up while Mary Osiana, representing Oyo was the second runner up.
Before the final competition, Bank of Industry, one of the partners of Miss Nigeria pageant had a two day boot camp training for contestants. They were trained in several entrepreneurial skills. A business idea competition was organized and three contestants had the best business ideas.
Temitope Sehidatu representing Osun state, Hope Nkiruka, Katsina State and Florence Ebele, representing Kebbi State in conjunction with Bank of Industry, their business ideas fine tuned and they would have access to N5 million loan to finance their business interests.
FIRST MISS NIGERIA GOT A GIFT TOO
Mrs. Grace Oyelude, winner of the first edition of Miss Nigeria pageant also took home a gift for the important role she played in the history of pageantry in Nigeria. As part of Heritage Bank’s socio responsibility, she was presented a Peugeot 604 saloon car. The key was presented to her while the pageant.
THE HITCHES
Despite the class, elegance, style paraded at the 39th edition of Miss Nigeria, they had some hitches along the path. Technical hitches, rude and long unnecessary delay were some of the challenges the event had. However, the organisers who have sustained the pageant over the years should be applauded.
EZINNE AKUDO’S MAJESTIC ENTRANCE
With the majestic entrance of Ezinne Akudo, the outgoing queen, every lady present dreamt of becoming a queen. She was driven right inside the hall to the runway in a brand new white saloon car. The few minute display of elegance and class thrilled the audience. Ezinne wore a flowing white gown.
- SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN
- Pix by GODWIN ONYEMAECHI
