How 19-year-old won MBGN 2014

Thirty contestants from different parts of the country stormed Yenegoa, Bayelsa State to contest for the crown of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria. And at the end of the day, Miss Akwa Ibom, Iheoma Nnadi, clinched the crown.

The girls first came out in the traditional costumes, while dancing to Davido’s Aye, which played at the background. It was obvious the judges were going to have a difficult task in their hands because all the girls looked heavenly.

Thereafter, it was the swim wear segment. Decked in a two-piece swim suit, the girls made most guys drool as they walked on the stage in the sexy piece.

But then, as they stepped out again in their evening dresses, the hall erupted with thunderous applause as the girls looked dashing.

However, shoulders dropped, faces tensed and smiles faded when the hosts, Yvonne Ekwere and IK cut down the number to the top 15.

Those who made it to that level were elated but that was momentary as the number was pruned down again to the top five.

The lucky ones, Miss Abuja, Miss Edo, Miss Osun, Miss Kwara and Miss Akwa Ibom were already in cloud nine when their names were mentioned.

After the interview session, guests easily guessed that the battle would be between Miss Edo and Miss Akwa Ibom from the way they answered their questions intelligently.

And the guests guessed right. The two ladies made it to the top 2 after Miss Abuja, Miss Osun and Miss Kwara took the fifth, fourth and third position respectively.

Finally, the Vice President of Silverbird Group, Guy Bruce, announced the judges’ decision and declared Miss Akwa Ibom as the winner and she would automatically represent Nigeria in Miss World contest.

The 19- year- old queen could not hold back her tears. Looking dazed, the young lady felt the whole thing was a dream.

The newly crowned queen in a chat with Saturday Beats said that the journey to this episode in her life was not an easy one.

“It was a lot of hard work. I made my family and friends proud of me. My greatest competitor in the pageant was Miss Edo. She is beautiful and very talented.

“I was very scared. When I was screened in Abuja, I was the last person they called. I was nervous. My mind was in 100 places at the same time. This is my first contest. I have never been in any beauty competition before now in my life.”

An undergraduate of Business Management at the University of Cape Town, the young queen said her pet project would be to work with agencies to kick against child trafficking in Nigeria.

Iheoma was not the only one who got lucky that night. Precious John, who represented Gombe State, was also voted as the MBGN Model, which automatically gave her a ticket to model for Isis Modelling agency in Lagos.

Apart from the girls that dazzled at the event, entertainers also made sure the guests didn’t have a boring time. Sheyi Shay, Patoranking and Yeka Onka took time to entertain them with their performances.