Entertainment
Nigeria Boasts Of Over 1000 Beauty Pageants …As Basketmouth Slams Organisers
Miss Earth contestants in a dance practice in Port Harcourt
Beauty pageants in Nige
ria precedes the birth of the country in 1960. Daily Times Newspaper started beauty pageant in Nigeria with Miss Nigeria, thus owned the franchise. Miss Nigeria started as a photo contest in 1957. Contestants posted their photographs to the Daily Times headquarters in Lagos where finalists were shortlisted.
Successful candidates were invited to compete in the live finals which at the time did not include the swimsuit sequent at the Lagos Island Club. UAC employee, Grace Oyehide won the maiden edition of Miss Nigeria, she was succeeded by secretarial student, Helen Anyamaeluna, while former seamstress, Nene Etule remains the only non Nigerian to have won the contest.
She was eligible as Southern Cameroon was under the Nigerian constitution in 1959. The following year, the contest was briefly renamed miss independence to commensurate the country’s independence from Britain and the winner, Rosemary Anieze was crowned.
The 1960s saw Miss Nigeria competing at international level, Yemi Idowu who won the contest in 1962, was a semi finalist at the Miss United States in 1963. Her successor sales girl Edna Park was the first Nigerian at Miss Universe in 1964. She is best remembered for disrupting the event by collapsing after failing to reach the first 15 spot. After park, no other Miss Nigeria competed in Miss Universe. Rose Balogun became the first official Miss Nigeria at Miss World in 1967.
MBGN Pageant
The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, also known as MBGN is a beauty pageant organised by the Silverbird group with the aim of sending representatives to international competition originally known as Miss Universe, Nigeria. It was renamed most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria after Daily Times lost its license to send delegates from rival contests, Miss Nigeria, to Miss World and Miss Universe.
Silverbird boss, Senator Ben Murray Bruce promoted a new pageant known as Miss Universe in 1983, after it changed it’s name to most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria (MBGN) in 1986, its maiden winner was model Lynda Chuba. In 2007 Silverbird announced that the pageant would produce four more representatives besides the winner.
The original titles were Miss MBGN Universe, (to represent Miss Universe), MBGN Tourism (for Miss Tourism International) and MBGN ECOWAS (for Miss ECOWAS pageant). A fifth title MBGN Model which allowed its holder to compete in modeling contests at the international level was dropped, and replaced with MBGN Ambassador, with its winner performing ceremonial functions in the country.
Miss Agbani Derego became the winner of the MBGN crown in 2011 and later went on to win the Miss World pageant in 2011.
She became the first black African to wear the coveted crown.
Miss Earth Pageant
Miss earth-Nigeria is an annual beauty pageant in Nigeria to select its representatives to the international Miss Earch pageant with the theme “Beauties for a course” it is orgnaised by AMC productions and began sending representatives to Miss Earth, a year after the international pageant was established in 2001. The National Director for Nigeria to Miss Earth is Ibinabo Fiberesima.
Miss ECOWAS PEACE PAGEANT
The Miss ECOWAS Nigeria pageant is a wholly intellectual pageant that produces two delegates who will move on to represent Nigeria alongside delegates from other ECOWAS member states at the international ECOWAS peace pageant endorsed by the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, among several other pageants.
A recent report has revealed that there are over 1000 beauty pageants in Nigeria and they have been keeping lots of Nigerian Youths busy with monetary gains for both the winners and the organizers through the sale of forms, endorsements and sponsorships by corporate organizations.
Meanwhile Nigeria’s humour merchant, Basketmouth who is one celebrity that is not known for holding his tongue has criticized the high number of beauty pageants in Nigeria. He recently slammed the ridiculous beauty pageants in the country.
He said: “it started with Miss Nigeria and MBGN, now we have the following Miss Comely Queen Nigeria, Face of Unity Nigeria, Miss Heritage Beauty pageants, Miss Tourism Nigeria, Miss Ideal Face of the Globe, Miss Teen World Super Model, Miss Dazzle Nigeria, Queen of Aso Rock and Miss Grand Nigeria.”
Others are: “Miss VIP Nigeria, Miss Ambassador for Peace Nigeria, Queen of Trust beauty Nigeria, Face of Nigeria, Miss Global beauty pageant, Sisi Oge beauty pageant, Miss Esquisite, Miss Olokun, etc.”
He noted that “very soon you will hear of Miss Pretty Feet Nigeria, Miss Long Neck pageant, Miss High Heels Nigeria, Miss Fresh Lap pageant, Miss No Hair for leg Nigeria pageant, Miss pointed Boobs Nigeria, Miss No Stretch Marks for Body etc, just watch,” he posted in his instagram.
A showbiz personality in Port Harcourt Prince William Atari has called on stake holders and the relevant authorities to check the proliferation of beauty pageants in the country and to regulate the activities of the organizers so as to bring sanity to the sector and maintain the high standards of which beauty pageants are known for.
The actress reacted after Yul appeared on The Honest Bunch Podcast, where he made comments that many listeners linked to his former marriage.
During the interview, Yul hinted that certain things happened while he and May were still married and suggested those moments contributed to the decisions he later made.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Yul hints that certain things happened while he and May were still married and suggests those moments contributed to the decisions he later made.
In the interview, the controversial actor said he had accepted being seen as the villain in the story.
He also stated that, despite everything, he genuinely wished May well and wanted her to prosper because she remains the mother of his children.
Yul Edochie finally shares last moments with late son three years after his tragic death
But while saying that, Yul also hinted that there were incidents in their marriage he had chosen not to discuss publicly.
According to him, he was “too much of a man” to come online and break down over personal matters.
Reacting to the interview, Sarah, in a post on her Instagram story, pointed out what she described as irony in Yul’s words—saying he wished May well while also making statements that could create doubt in people’s minds.
According to her, if he truly meant well for his former wife, there was no reason to hint at hidden issues and leave people guessing.
“You wish her well, but you granted Podcast the power to sow doubt in people’s minds by saying she did something that led you to do what you did, but you won’t say it,” she said.
“Oga, you’re just pained that she’s doing well!”
Sarah also questioned the purpose of the interview, asking if jealousy may have played a role.
Yul Edochie recounts final moments with late son.
The actor recalled that his son came into his room early in the morning before leaving for school.
According to him, they spent time talking, laughing, and joking in what felt like a typical father-son interaction.
Yul Edochie reacts to crashed marriage
The Tide Entertainment had reported that Yul Edochie had continued to speak about his ex-wife as he appeared on the Honest Bunch Podcast.
He shared part of what happened between them and all the things he wished for her while speaking about his new wife.
The actor noted that he and his ex-wife know what happened that led to the dissolution of their union.
Nigerian entrepreneur and socialite, Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, has opened up on his fallout with singer Burna Boy, alleging that the music star publicly attacked him because of his close relationship with Davido.
Speaking during an interview on The Beat 99.9 FM on Wednesday, Cubana Chief Priest said his journey to success began from apprenticeship and years of hard work, adding that fame and financial growth often attract envy and criticism.
“Success comes with a lot of hate. I started my journey from apprenticeship and service and I learnt so much about growth and perseverance. When you start becoming successful, you understand how people treat you.
“I was on my own and Burna Boy came for me, went on his big platform and started tweeting things that are not genuine, things that are not possible, things that have not existed and the attack was straight to my wealth.
“So he wanted to make people look at my wealth, disrespect my wealth, I felt bad and that happened because of my relationship with Davido,” he said.
He further stated that Davido has consistently supported his businesses and personal projects.
“David is always there for me. He opened all my nightclubs, restaurants, everything. He always shows up to support me.
“He’s investing in clubs in Lagos, and I’m making music to prove a point that I can,” he added.
Nollywood Actor, Alexx Ekubo’s family has officially announced the funeral arrangements for the late actor, describing him as a man whose life was filled with love, faith, generosity and compassion.
The Tide Entertainment had earlier reported that the Nollywood actor passed away after suffering from kidney cancer.
The Ekubo-Okwaraeke family announced the funeral arrangements in a statement released via the actor’s social media handle.
The statement read: “Forever in Our Hearts.
“With profound sorrow, yet gratitude to God for a life so beautifully lived and deeply impactful, we officially announce the funeral arrangements of our beloved husband, son, brother, friend, and colleague, Alexx Ekubo-Okwaraeke
“The overwhelming outpouring of love, prayers, messages, visits, calls, support, and strength shown to the family during this painful period has been truly humbling. Words cannot fully express our gratitude.
“Alexx was deeply loved, and your kindness continues to remind us that his light, compassion, faith, and impact on so many lives will never be forgotten.
“Though his passing came far too soon, Alexx lived a life marked by love, warmth, generosity, laughter, and an unwavering devotion to God and the people he cherished. His presence filled rooms, lifted hearts, and created memories that will remain with us forever.
“We warmly invite family, friends, colleagues, fans, and well wishers to join us as we honor and celebrate his beautiful life, enduring legacy, and the precious memories he gave us all.
“SERVICE OF SONGS
Date: Wednesday, 10th June 2026
Venue: The Monarch Event Center, Lekki, Lagos Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Dress Code: White
“WAKE KEEP
Date: Wednesday, 17th June 2026
Venue: 7 Ekubo-Okwaraeke Avenue, Aziukwukwa, Ujari Village, Arochukwu, Abia State
“FUNERAL SERVICE
Date: Thursday, 18th June 2026
Venue: Mary Slessor School, Amanagwu Village, Arochukwu, Abia State
“INTERMENT
Date: Thursday, 18th June 2026
Venue: 7 Ekubo-Okwaraeke Avenue, Aziukwukwa, Ujari Village, Arochukwu, Abia State
“RECEPTION
Reception to follow immediately after the interment at Mary Slessor School, Amanagwu Village, Arochukwu, Abia State.
Dress Code: White
“Please continue to keep Alexx, his wife, and the entire family in your prayers during this difficult time.”
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