By Linus Akomolafe
Shatu Garko emerged 44th Queen by defeating 18 other beautiful contestants to win the 2021 Miss Nigeria beauty pageant crown.
Shatu who hails from Kano is also the first Hijabi pageant winner in the world.
Shatu, representing the North West region is an 18-year-old Hijabi model who loves riding horses and is passionate about proving religion and culture are not barriers to following one’s dreams and achieving whatever a person sets out to achieve.
The pageant which was held on Friday took place at Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, with glamour and glitz.
The new Miss Nigeria is succeeding Etsanyi Tukura, a native of Taraba State, 43rd winner of the 2019 Miss Nigeria contest. Nicole Ikot emerged as the first runner up and Kasarachi Okoro, representing North West Zone and a 22-year old Business Administration student was the second runner up in the contest.
Shortly before she was crowned winner, Shatu was asked by the judge, what would it mean to her and why if she win?
She said: “winning this competition means alot to me. My whole life I have always wanted to be a Miss Nigeria. I’d like to thank Miss Nigeria and its sponsors. I would also like to thank my mum for supporting and loving me. Thank you.”
Shatu was awarded the cash prize of N10 million, a luxury apartment, a car and ambassadorship.
The Manager, Miss Nigeria Organisation, Chioma Nwigwe, noted that it was very challenging for the event to be organised especially in a global pandemic but for the purpose of the pageant, which she said rests on empowerment, made it get the support.
“This has always been about empowerment. Miss Nigeria platform is beyond the beauty pageant. We are very committed to empowering women, girls and providing opportunity for women to grow”
“Miss Nigeria is a full time job. It’s a 9-5 job. That is what a lot of people don’t know. It’s beyond the fun, the glamour and Miss Nigeria is always looking for someone who is committed to do that.”
The organiser of Miss Nigeria had unveiled the 18 finalists to battle for the crown in the grand finale on December 7 at the KIA Showroom, Victoria Island.
But the eviction process began with over 1,000 ladies and reduced to 120 who were later invited for physical audition in Lagos then reduced to 37 including three wild cards. By way of reducing the numbers, the girls were evicted to 21 and then down to 18.
Speaking at the event, founder of Folio Media Group, the organiser of Miss Nigeria 2021, Fidelis Anosike, had said the vision was to create a national empowerment and a role model that would serve as a driver for the young girl child.
Miss Nigeria’s Creative Director, former Miss Nigeria (2013), Ezinne Akudo also revealed that this year’s selection was quite demanding due to sheer volume of entries.
