By Linus Akomolafe
The top 18 finalists for the 2021 Miss Nigeria beauty pageant have been unveiled as the organisation prepares to crown the 44th beauty Queen on December 17th with N10m.
The grand finale of the 44th Miss Nigeria pageant would be at the Landmark Convention Centre, with the winner walking away with a brand new car, 1-year residency in a luxury apartment, and brand ambassadorship opportunities.
The unveiling cocktail took place at the KIA Showroom in Victoria Island Lagos, and had representatives of the press, corporate Nigeria, and members of the entertainment industry Osas Ighodaro, Uti Nwachukwu, Denrele Edun, Alex Unusual, Anto Lecky, Dianne Russet, Mike Edwards, IK Onyema.
The eviction process began with over 1,000 ladies reduced to 120 who were invited for physical audition in Lagos then down to 37 including three wild cards then to 21 and down to 18 after three with a low score from a presentation on “Strategy to Deepens Menstrual Health” were evicted.
Speaking at the event, founder of Folio Media Group, the organiser of Miss Nigeria 2021, Fidelis Anosike, said the vision is to create a national empowerment and a role model that would serve as a driver for the young girl child.
“What we want to do now is to make it consistent and from next year you will begin to see the making of the Nigerian Queen. This is not a beauty pageant anymore; it is a national pageant. I don’t like referring to it as a beauty pageant because it is a national pageant. The first Miss Nigeria, Mrs. Grace Oyelude just turned 90 last week. We want to recreate Miss Nigeria to fit what it stands for when it was created,” he said.
Miss Nigeria’s Creative Director, former Miss Nigeria (2013), Ezinne Akudo revealed that this year’s selection was quite tasking because of sheer volume of entries, however was well rewarding.
“Beyond their looks, every single one of these incredible ladies brings something unique to the table and we can’t wait to see which of them wears the crown as the 44th Miss Nigeria.”
“They say the future is female and I am very passionate about women and leadership. We need more women in power and the world will be a better place with women in power. Miss Nigeria is a huge platform and I hope the new winner would take advantage of the platform to touch lives and reach out to people,” she said.
Miss Nigeria, formed in 1957 with the motto, “Empowering Women Beyond Beauty’’ is an annual beauty pageant competition that showcases the positive attributes of Nigerian women. The winner portrays exemplary qualities and serves as a role model for young women in the country.
