From Dream to Queen - Omasan Buwa (MBGN 1987)

MBGN organisers criticised her unconventional demeanor which they believed failed to uphold their image. She was ridiculed by showbiz reporters after it emerged that she had left her undergraduate course prior to graduation. Cartoonists had a field day lampooning her with exaggerated caricatures. Gossip magazines regarded her as tabloid fodder. In recent years she has been a running gag on my other blog The Naija Brit - hopefully she has taken the latter in good humour. Yet despite the severe judgement, outside the headlines, and beyond the tattoos, Omasan Buwa has since proved her critics wrong by making a name for herself as a model, actress, television presenter, lawyer, columnist, and businesswoman. She may have briefly faded into obscurity, but like a true survivor Buwa is now proof that he who laughs last laughs longest.

London-born Buwa was no stranger to strutting for an audience when she entered the world of pageantry as she had already modelled for veteran designer Maufechi. In 1987 she competed in Miss Nigeria where she lost to Stella Okoye. Undeterred, she entered the second edition of Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, and despite the audience's disapproval who favoured vertically-challenged Nkiru 'Niki' Onuaguluchi she was crowned winner. She placed a respectable fifth at the Nigerian version of Miss Intercontinental, but during Miss Universe the following year, pageant critics viewed her as too fat in her unflattering Catalina swimsuit and described her evening gown as dull. Buwa's Miss Universe experience was also marred by host country Taiwan's cuisine which consisted mainly of octopus, lizard, and frog and nearly all the contestants reportedly took ill. 

After Miss World and the handover of her crown, Buwa dabbled in more modelling and landed a supporting role with soap opera Memories, playing Ethel Ekpe's two-faced friend embarking on an affair with her fiance Longley Evru. It was during this time the authorities at the University of Maiduguri who did not approve of her role as a pageant queen expelled her indefinitely, a decision not lost on the press. At the 1990 PMAN Music Awards, Buwa allegedly argued with a Prime People reporter who had described her as a drop-out. Despite this setback, she re-established herself as a restaurateur and opened her own modelling agency. Television presenting was another feather added to her cap with the Saturday breakfast show Morning Ride. Stories centred around her were constantly splashed on Prime People and Vintage People pages, with cartoonists poking fun at her physique bearing captions which included "Big Boob Buwa". The tomboy tag intensified when she began to sport a Grace Jones-esque hair cut which some believed gave her a masculine appearance. 

Through the late 90's to the middle of the millennium,  Buwa was based in America and the United Kingdom, working as a make-up artist, presenter, model, and columnist for soft-sell Whispas. Perhaps her biggest achievement - apart from her three children - was obtaining a degree in Law from the North London University in 2002.  She is now an executive assistant to the Delta State governor, specialising in social care for the disabled, and has used her knowledge and experience to establish RISE, a programme focusing on rehabilitation and development for the disabled.

Respect is due. Ms. Buwa, the 'Tomboy Queen', we salute you!

Registration: Mr. and Miss Nigeria UK 2017.

Mr. and Miss Nigeria are currently living the dream. Bioscience student Teedum Nke-Ee had previously competed at Mr. and Miss African Caribbean Society UK where he reached the top 5, and entered Mr. Nigeria UK to obtain a platform for his ongoing projects which include entertainment and youth in the diaspora. Teedum has vowed to assist school children in Boko Haram-afflicted regions in Nigeria upon his return to the country, and has been recognised as an African ambassador in the UK.  Aspiring actress Hannah Agboola is currently using her position as Miss Nigeria UK to encourage the youth to use the arts as a tool to express themselves without limitations. The Business Management graduate saw the contest as an opportunity to showcase her dreams and talent, and intends to organise shows which will incorporate dance, music, and drama.

The organisers of Mr. and Miss Nigeria UK - a male-and-female pageant - are now accepting applications for the 2017 edition. Applicants must be residents of the United Kingdom between the ages of 18 and 28, and must be of Nigerian heritage with at least one Nigerian parent. Experience is preferred but not compulsory as contestants are groomed by a pageant coach. Talent is also vital. A payment of £30 can be made via the PayPal link on the Mr. and Miss Nigeria website.

Website: officialmmnuk.com   
Twitter:@officialMMNUK

Remember, it could be YOU!

From Dream to Queen - Helen Prest-Ajayi (Miss Nigeria 1979)

The daughter of former cabinet minister Mikhail Prest, Helen Prest Ajayi was a Law student when she was crowned Miss Nigeria in 1979. Following the end of her reign which saw her compete in Miss World, she graduated from the University of Ife and obtained her Masters from Kings College, London. Prest was regarded as a socialite in the 80's and early 90's, frequently photographed at social functions and featured in glossy magazines. She was also noted for her style which included mini skirts and dresses, and at her wedding to Jimmy Davies in 1988 (She was said to keep the groom waiting for hours), Prest-Ajayi looked ravishing in her off-the-shoulder gown. 

Now in her 50's and married to media practitioner Tosin Ajayi, Prest-Ajayi is a CEO, writer, activist, and mother of three daughters; one of them, Tiffany Davies who is now a lawyer like her mother, competed in Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2012. 

Registration: Nigeria Campus Queen

Are you a registered student at a Nigerian institution of higher learning? University, Polytechnic, College of Education, School of Nursing, Technical College, Health College...? Perhaps you're a campus queen who wishes to take their success to a higher level, with the opportunity to act as Nigeria's ambassador at Disneyland Paris' Face of the Globe? Nigeria Campus Queen is a new pageant for college belles willing to represent their campuses as beauty ambassadors with the chance of winning the title for the year 2017. NCQ will function as a non-bikini contest, and potential winners will be groomed in camp leading to the day of the final whose venue is yet to be announced. 

Forms can be purchased at First City Monument Bank for a non-refundable fee of N5000. 


Facebook: facebook/allnigeriacampuspageant. Facebook/houseoffushi
Instagram:nigeriacampusqueen
Twitter: @nigeria_campus

Remember, it could be YOU!

Chioma Obiadi - Miss Nigeria

A new Miss Nigeria currently reigns as the nation’s most glamorous ambassador.  After a two-year hiatus, the 40^th edition of the pageant was held at the Eko Hotel in Lagos where Geography and Metrology student Chioma Precious Obiadi beat 36 other contestants to clinch the crown. Miss Nigeria is by no means her first pageant, but this is by far the most memorable, and Obiadi has promised to serve as the best representative the pageant has ever produced while striving to make a difference in the lives of Nigeria's women.

From a young age Obiadi had always shown interest in pageantry. Nicknamed “Miss World” by her parents who encouraged her to compete, she attends Nnamdi Azikiwe University where she had competed in Miss Geograms – named after her department. Despite a lack of experience she emerged the winner. In 2016 she was selected to represent Nigeria at Miss Earth held in Manila, Philippines. While she did not place, Obiadi won a bronze for the African contingent for her national costume, earning herself a place in the top 40. Barely a year after Miss Earth, she was crowned Miss Nigeria at a star-studded ceremony.

As the reigning queen, Obiadi has chosen Environment as her platform, paying attention to the conversion of waste to electricity, stating “In Sweden for example, they convert their waste to electricity and it serves a vast majority of people. Interestingly, Sweden is a very small country, they don’t have the kind of population that we have here. So you can imagine if we convert our waste to electricity, I strongly believe that it would stop the problem of power failure forever. We deserve electricity”. On the completion of her reign, Obiadi - affectionately labelled "Princess Tyra" by her friends -  is hopeful that she will be noted as a role model who inspired many. 

France Wins Miss Universe 2016

France’s Iris Mittenaere has been named Miss Universe 2016 at a ceremony held in Manila, Philippines, thus becoming the first woman from her country to win in 63 years, the longest drought in the pageant's history. The 24-year-old dental student claimed to be shocked at winning, but has chosen Dental and Oral Healthcare as a platform, adding “ I want to help people. I want to understand people, I want to meet people, that’s why this is a dream for me”.  Optometry and Vision masters’ student Raquel Pelisser of Haiti was Mitternaere’s runner-up while Andrea Tovar of Columbia placed third. Other award recipients were Korean model Jenny Kim who won the Congeniality Award, Burmese actress who was awarded for Best National Costume, and Lindita Idrizi was named Most Photogenic.  

Africans at the event included former Miss West Africa Hawa Kamara of Sierra Leone, making it the first time the country had entered Miss Universe. Marketing student Raissa Santana became the first Brazilian of African descent to represent her country, and reached the top 13.  Kenya's Mary Ware was the only African in the top 10. Gabon was a no-show due the the country's political turmoil. Ghana was also absent as a result of licensing issues. Nigeria was represented by Psychology graduate Unoaku Anyadike who had won Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria in 2015 and competed in Miss World that year. She had been chosen to attend Miss Universe in 2017 due to franchise holder Silverbird's inability to host a MBGN pageant in 2016.

Unlike last year's contest, Miss Universe 2017 had 13 instead of 12 finalists - Kenya, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Panama, Colombia, The Phillippines, Canada, Brazil, France, Haiti, Thailand and United States. Three former Miss Universes (Sushmita Sen -1994, Leila Lopes - 2011, and Dayanara Torres - 1993) sat on the panel of judges, as did Real Housewives of Atlanta's Cynthia Bailey. Although the pageant is named "Miss Universe 2016", the winner will reign through 2017.

Rapper Flo Rida and vocal harmony group Boyz II Men provided entertainment at the contest which saw 86 women vie for the title. Steve Harvey, who had famously called out the wrong winner in 2015, hosted the hitch-free event while model Ashley Graham served as backstage host.

Where Are These Naija Pageant Veterans?

They came, they posed, they reigned...and they disappeared. In a pre-Agbani era, they wowed the public with their beauty and elegance enjoyed a jet set lifestyle as they served as ambassadors, and promoted the values of the Nigerian woman whilst generating column inches and countless admirers. Before you could say Jack Robinson, they suddenly disappeared from the spotlight, and little or nothing has been heard of them since.
As we enter pageant season with both MBGN and Miss Nigeria preparing to each crown a new successor, we remember some of my favourite winners and contestants...and wonder were they are now...

Edna Park (Miss Nigeria 1964)

Park made history as the first Nigerian to compete in Miss Universe, but is best remembered for disrupting the show after realising that she would never be anything more than a mere contestant. Upon hearing that she had not reached the final fifteen, she collapsed on the floor and cried uncontrollably before she was carried by security guards to hospital where she was placed under sedation. Her laughing stock fate was sealed when, upon her arrival back home, she became a source of ridicule.

Park is said to have competed in Miss Lux the following year where she placed second, but nothing is known about her present whereabouts.

Yemi Fawaz (Miss Universe Nigeria 1984)

Before earning the title 'Nigeria's Queen of Models' Fawaz competed in MBGN when it was known as Miss Universe Nigeria, but despite her popularity she was piped to third place due to her mixed heritage. In a subsequent interview she claimed that a female judge didn't mince her words when voicing her disapproval ("Don't choose her; she's not Nigerian, she half-caste!"). Fawaz, whose father was Lebanese, would later criticise pageant director Ben Murray-Bruce for not acknowledging those who had brought him to the limelight.

Fawaz later opened a modelling school - the first in the country - and restaurant both in Lagos, and carved a new career in acting - she had a regular role in Mega Fortunes as Regina Askia's aunt Jumoke, but the pilot of another soap, Catwalk, failed to attract sponsors. She also had a $250,000 contract with Revlon in Lebanon, but was forced to flee following the outbreak of the Beirut War. After giving birth to daughter Tobi who played Richard Mofe- Damijo's daughter in Checkmate, she gained extra curves which she was proud to flaunt, most notably at the PMAN Music Awards in the early 90's where she wore a high-slit evening gown.

After discovering Christianity, she relocated to America where she is said to be a deaconess, but is rarely mentioned by the tabloids who once worshipped her.

Mary Bieoneh (MBGN 1986)

She may not have won the maiden edition of MBGN, but Bieoneh made history by becoming the first Nigerian to reach the top 10 at Miss World 1987. After achieving this feat she was rarely seen or heard from again. Her ambition was to become a pharmacist, but it is not known if she practices in this field.

Niki Onuaguluchi (MBGN 1987)

Nkiru 'Niki' Onuaguluchi had it all: Brains, beauty, talent, charisma. To the audience, she was the full package destined to win. So where did it all go wrong? Her height. The judges concluded that at 5'6'', Onuaguluchi would not have stood a chance among taller delegates at the forthcoming Miss Intercontinental in Lagos which was scheduled to commence in weeks. Omasan Buwa was crowned instead, and is said to have accused Onuaguluchi of hiring supporters to cheer her to victory. In an interview shortly after the coronation Onuaguluchi, who had flown in from America to vie for the crown, stated that the prize money of ₦6000 meant nothing to her as it was not enough to pay for a ticket back to the States.
Onuaguluchi told Newswatch she planned to release an album, act in movies both at home and abroad, and market a perfume, but nothing has been heard from her in years. She is said to be living in America.

Stella Okoye (Miss Nigeria 1987)

A former student of Dof Institute where she studied Catering, Stella Okoye caused a stir when she was crowned Miss Nigeria on account of her skin tone. Omasan Buwa, a fellow contestant who would later be crowned MBGN the following year claimed that policeman were summoned to guard the newly-crowned queen owing to a riot from the audience as they felt she was too dark. However, Okoye's reign was without controversy, and two years later she crowned her successor Adewunmi Adebowale who was also dark-skinned.

Okoye reportedly lives in Atlanta with her family, and her son Obinna Ofodile is said to have aspirations to play for the NBA.

Sandra Petgrave (MBGN 1992)
Critics claimed that she was lucky to win MBGN that year as the favourite was future Miss Nigeria Janet Fateye. Nevertheless Economics student Petgrave dazzled the judges in the long strapless black gown which was worn by another contestant two years later - although the latter stopped short of a pair of lacy gloves. Unlike most pageant winners, Petgrave gained a reputation as a reluctant queen who hated publicity, and although she attended the MBGN final the following year she refused to crown her successor - MBGN 1989 Regina Askia filled that role - but later compensated when she co-hosted the 1994 edition.

Petgrave later faded into obscurity until 2009 when it was reported in Nigerian tabloids that she had been arrested for physically attacking her husband which she denied, and claimed that the rumours were actually based on the script of a movie she was producing.


(Originally posted in The Naija Brit)