Encomium
‘I have to abandon school to focus on my reign’
THE Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on Friday, July 18, 2014, with delectable and adorable personalities in attendance, produced 19 year-old Iheoma Amanda Nnadi as queen.
Here are highlights of the excitingly exotic pageant sponsored by the Bayelsa State Government.
6:00 p.m THE RED CARPET RECEPTION
The Red Carpet kicked off at about 6 p.m with STV presenter, Layole Oyatogun anchoring the session with her colleague, Anthony Abraham. And dominated by mainly ex-beauty queens and models, they all strutted out in lovely wears
7.46 THE HOSTS
On-air personality and Big Brother Africa’s voice, IK Osakioduwa and TV presenter, Yvonne ‘Vixen’ Ekwerre hosted the 2014 MBGN.
7.48 HOW THE SHOW STARTED
The show started with the hosts welcoming guests to the event and introducing some personalities among them. As if to whet their appetite, they were given hint of leading acts expected at the show. They included former Idol Nigeria winner, Yeka Onka, female music star Seyi Shay and music rave of the moment, Patoranking.
8.00 BAYELSA GOV’S GOODWILL MESSAGE
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, in his speech, said he was delighted to be part of MBGN 2014. “The Government and the good people of Bayelsa State are therefore, enlivened and genuinely proud of one of our illustrious sons, Ben Murray Bruce who conceived and nurtured the MBGN pageant from a humble beginning.”
He also commended “The effort of the Bayelsa State Tourism Development Agency, for their ingenuity and relentless strive in promoting, not only our numerous potentials in tourism but also constructively collaborating with Silverbird Group for the successful hosting of this annual event.”
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (retd) stated that Yenagoa, the state capital has become a one-stop city and also a frontliner in the promotion and stimulation of the entertainment industry in Nigeria.
“Let me inform you all that we will not relent in our avowed commitment to continue to make Bayelsa a hub of entertainment in Nigeria as we are diversifying from an oil-based economy to other areas including tourism, a major foreign exchange earner all over the world.
Governor Seriake further informed Bayelsans that the state now hosts international consortiums, national events like the just-concluded Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) and African Fashion Reception. He said the next step is to establish a film city that will attract film producers from all over the world to Bayelsa. And happy that the last MBGN was won by a Bayelsan, Anna Ebiere Banner. Governor Seriake enjoined his people to key into his government’s policy of developing tourism, culture and entertainment sectors for the benefit of Bayelsans.
THE SWEET 30!
Thirty ravishingly beautiful young ladies competed for the MBGN crown. And here are a bit about each of them. Adaeze Oba, 23 (Abia); Princess Dennar, 20 (Abuja FCT); Anita Omofonma, 21 (Adamawa); Iheoma Nnadi, 19 (Akwa Ibom); Angel Ineh, 21 (Anambra); Jane Ekanem, 22 (Bauchi); Bisola Mohammed, 21 (Bayelsa); Benita Akpofe, 23 (Benue); Prosper Ayuk, 20 (Cross River); Fortune Woko, 23 (Delta); Sarah Jegede, 22 (Ebonyi); Queen Celestine, 22 (Edo); Folasade Akinbowale, 20 (Ekiti), Zememoi Umoru, 22 (Enugu); Precious John, 22 (Gombe); Analoo Ibadin, 19 (Imo); Violet Okwazu, 20 (Kano); Adesola Adeyemi, 19 (Katsina); Chinaza Ukatu, 19 (Kebbi); Erica Nlewedim, 20 (Kogi); Chinyere Adogu, 21 (Kwara); Michelle Adepoju, 18 (Lagos); Chiamaka Maduewesi, 21 (Nassarawa); Juliet Ezeanuna, 23 (Niger); Aberetoa Allison, 20 (Ogun); Obafunke Braithwaite, 24 (Ondo); Endurance Akpoyibo, 23 (Osun); Adetoro Adeyemi, 19 (Oyo); Josephine Oghonoghor, 22 (Plateau) and Roseline Amadi, 22 (Rivers).
MBGN organizers explained that the contestants were only representing the states and the FCT to promote national unity not as ‘indigenes’.
8.05 WHEN ALL THE CONTESTANTS DANCED OUT
The contestants stepped out again with a dance at about 8.05 p.m. The beat they entertained with was Davido’s Aye. They had filed out with a thunderous background introduction.
8.10 YEKA ONKA
Maiden winner of Idol Nigeria, Yeka Onka displayed her vocal dexterity in a scintillating performance of her new single, Help. A song she later told ENCOMIUM Weekly, she is using to draw attention to the neglect of the vulnerable. Many appreciated the act.
8.15 STV’S CHIOMA AGWUNOBI GOES TO SOCIAL MEDIA
In an interface with the audience, STV’s Chioma Agwunobi related to guests their comments as the show was going on. Pretty Chioma, who neatly concealed her most welcomed pregnancy, had fun broadcasting the views and comments of thousands of Nigerians who were following the pageant on the social media.
According to the sweet-voiced lady, Twitter was on fire!
8. 22 SEYI SHAY SHINES
Singing sensation, Seyi Shay shone like a million stars at the show. Thrilling with her popular track, Irawo, the beautiful artiste raised the bar of the entertainment value of the 2014 MBGN pageant.
8.46 THE MBGN 2014 FUN TAPE
Like the organizers tagged it, “the fun tape” chronicled some of the fun and exciting moments of this year’s pageant. Beamed through the screens, the clips showed that the contestants would be going home with fond memories of their stay in Bayelsa.
8.59 CHATTY CHIOMA RETURNS
Amiable Chioma Agwunobi returned again to share the views of guys on the social media.
9.05 OUTGOING MBGN QUEEN, ANNA EBIERE BANNER GETS A PORTRAITURE GIFT
A Bayelsan artist simply called Kingdom presented a portrait of the outgoing MBGN queen, Anna Ebiere Banner to the hosts.
9.11 MBGN CONTESTANTS FLAUNT EVENING GOWNS
At this hour, the beautiful ladies turned out in jaw-dropping and appetizing evening dresses, leaving not a few with no other option than to ask for more.
9.29 FIRST SET OF AWARDS ROLL OUT
There were five special award categories before the ultimate crown. The prizes presented by a former MBGN contestant, Samuella Elumelu included: Miss Photogenic won by Miss Kogi (Erica Nlewedim); Miss Charismatic cornered by Chinyere Adogu who represented Kwara State.
The prize for Best Traditional Costume was won by Miss Delta, Fortune Woko while the prize for MBGN 2014 Model went to Miss Gombe (Precious John). Miss Amity, that is the contestant with the most pleasing and amiable personality went to Miss Edo, Queen Celestine (she eventually emerged the first runner-up).
9.37 BACK TO CHIOMA
There was yet another opportunity to hear from those following the pageant in the social media, especially the Twitter. This segment, still anchored by the STV presenter, Chioma continued until the top 15 contestants were unveiled.
9.40 THE TOP 15 CONTESTANTS UNVEILED
The highlight of MBGN 2014, was the selection of the top 15 by the judges. The lucky 15 were Miss Plateau, Bayelsa, Kogi, Ondo, Adamawa, Delta, Abuja, Kano, Edo, Imo, Anambra, Lagos, Kwara, Osun and Akwa Ibm.
10.00 MEET THE TOP FIVE
It didn’t take time for the judges to release the first five that saw Miss Edo, Kwara, Osun, Akwa Ibom and Abuja move to the final stage of the competition.
10.05 THE INTERVIEW SEGMENT
The top five were subjected to series of questions to test their Intelligence Quotient. Though all of them impressed the judges, it seemed the eventual winner got their nod to wear the MBGN crown.
10.10 NEW DANCEHALL REVELATION, PATORANKING RAVES ON…
Reggae dancehall crooner, Patrick Okorie, better known as Patoranking, practically raised the roof of the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, venue of MBGN 2014, with his compelling ‘lyrical fire’. And being the lead act of the night, he gave a good account of himself. He would be later joined by Seyi Shay whom he featured in one of his hot songs.
10.19 VIDEO CLIPS OF ANNA BANNER’S REIGN PREMIERES
Next on the programme was a video showing the reign of the former MBGN, Miss Anna Banner. She made it to the stage hereafter for the outgoing Queen’s Walk. In her short speech, Anna said she is proud to be associated with the Silverbird family. She also said she gave a good account of herself at the last Miss World in Indonesia. She said in tears she would forever be grateful to Silverbird Group for the privilege and support she got from them.
10.36 AND THE WINNER IS…
The MBGN 2014, rolled to an end with the emergence of Owerri, Imo State born, Iheoma Amanda Nnadi as ultimate winner. Contesting as Miss Akwa Ibom, she would represent Nigeria in 2014 Miss World. The judges’ decision was announced by Guy Murray-Bruce, Vice Chairman, Silverbird Group.
THE OTHER WINNERS
It wasn’t a winner takes it all affair. Miss Osun emerged the third winner, while Miss Kwara (Chinyere Adogu) was second runner-up. Miss Edo (Queen Celestine) picked the first runner-up position.
The first and second runners-up, we learnt would smile home with N1 million cash prizes. They would also represent Nigeria at Miss Universe and Miss Tourism respectively.
-UCHE OLEHI
