Entertainment
Focus On Miss Nigeria And MBGN Pageants’ Dichtomy
Beauty they say is in the eyes of the beholder, The Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary defines beauty as “the quality of being pleasing to the senses or mind”. It went further to define beauty contest as “a competition to choose the most beautiful from a group of women, while beauty is a competition for young women in which their beauty,personal qualities and skills are judged”.
In Nigeria the two major beauty pageants are the Miss Nigeria and the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN).Both contests claim to represent” the true Nigerian Womanhood”.Yet craft separate models of idealised feminity present different nationalist agenda. These differences stem from two distinct representations of gendered national identities.
The first pageant, Miss Nigeria brands itself as a Nigerian based pageant centred on a cultural nationalist ideal which is focused in vitalising and appreciating Nigerian culture to unify the nation.It is an annual event which showcases positive attributes of Nigerian women and awards university scholarships to winners who portray examplary qualities and serves as role models for young women in the country with its motto:Empowering Women beyond beauty”.The pageant discourages the wearing of swim suites and Bikini which exposes the body of contestants in order to uphold the dignity of the African woman.
In contrast, the second national pageant,the Most Beautiful Girls in Nigeria (MBGN) utilizes ‘International Standard’ to elect and send contestants to miss world and miss universe, the top pageants in the world and promotes a cosmopolitan nationalist ideal which remains concentrated in propelling and integrating Nigeria into the International arena.
The pageant organizers encourages contestants to wear swim suites and Bikinis. The bikini remains a fraught embodied symbol and aesthetic practice. Pageant affiliates, critics and fans alike strongly debate the question of whether to include bikinis in these events,but ethnographic observations of the two Nigerian national beauty contests show how various stakeholders used personal,domestic and international frames about women’s bodies and the bikini in particular to bolster respectability, women’s figurative and literal bodies were used to strategically situated propriety,social acceptance and reputability for the self and the nation.
Historically,the Miss Nigeria Pageant started in 1957 as a photo contest.Contestants posted photograph of themselves to Daily Times headquarters in Lagos where finalists were shortlisted. Those successful were invited to compete in the live final which at the time did not include a swimsuit competition and was held at the Lagos Island club.
United Africa Company (UAC)employee, Grace Oyelude won the maiden edition of Miss Nigeria and the £200(Twohundred pounds)prize money.Contrary to popular believe, Julie Coker was not the first Miss Nigeria, She was actually Miss Western Nigeria,but used the Miss Nigeria title during official engagements abroad.
It is on record that once upon a time Miss Nigeria was the official beauty pageant responsible for sending the Nigerian representatives to the Miss World Beauty Pageant. The sixties saw Miss Nigeria competing at international level, Yemi dowu who had won the contest in 1962 was a semi finalist at Miss United Nations 1963.
Her successor, Miss Edna Park was the first Nigerian at Miss Universe in 1964 and is best remembered for distrupting the show when she collapsed on stage after failing to reach the top fifteen. Park was carried away by policemen and contest officials and spent a night in a Miami hospital under sedation where she was consoled by the wife of Nigerian Ambassador, Nneka Onyegbula who reportedly stated, “All the judges are white and they aren’t really competent to judge a dark girls, beauty”. Since Park,no other Miss Nigeria has contested Miss Universe. Rosaline Balogun became the first official Miss Nigeria at Miss World in 1967. After that the contest was constantly plagued with corruption, low standard and not so smart ladies emerging as winners.critics had described the original Pageant as “ a parade of beauty without brains”.
With the gradual demise of Daily Times and rivalry with Silverbird’s MBGN, Miss Nigeria ceased to be the country’s most prominent pageant and began to lose its way,subsequently they lost their rights to send ladies to Miss World Beauty Pageant and Silverbird which started as Miss Universe Nigeria Pageant took over and rebranded to Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN).
Even though Daily Times lost out from sending pageants abroad, they still had the official name Miss Nigeria which was internationally recognised, MBGN was not recognised abroad, but they were more organised,more glamorous and more public. Ben Murray Bruce leveraging his international exposure and connections was able to deliver a Stellar Pageant contest at about the same time Daily Times was zinking.
In 2001 after Agbani Darego won the Miss World Beauty Pageant in Sun City South Africa,the reigning Miss Nigeria Amina Ekpo attempted to drag her to court,she alleged that Miss Darego “wrongly, falsely and fraudulently presented herself as Miss Nigeria” at the Miss World Pageant. A letter from Ekpo’s lawyers to Darego said, “at no time did she consent to nor authorize the use of that title by you or anyone else in this or any other manner. The case was latter settled out of court.
The current title holder of MBGN is Rivers State born public Health student, Nyekachi Douglas and is currently Africa’s Continental queen of beauty having reached the top five at Miss World .2019 marked the first time since 2001 an MBGN representative places at both Miss World and Miss Universe top 20.
Presently MBGN winner represents Nigeria in Miss World Pageant and MBGN runners up are not left out as the first runner up represents Nigeria at Miss Universe Beauty Pageant, second runner up represent the country in Miss Tourism Beauty contest,while the third runner up represent Nigeria at the Miss ECOWAS Beauty Pageant.
The difference between Miss Nigeria and Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) have been compared with Miss USA and Miss America. While MBGN delegates compete at international level,Miss Nigeria winners no longer have this privilege.
In 2010 Miss Nigeria was relaunched as a scholarship programme and its winners in recent years receive modelling contract as part of their prize. MBGN focuses mainly on physical beauty unlike Miss Nigeria which is expected to to promote inner beauty with a wholesome girl-next-door image as a result its swim suit competition was famously scrapped in 2010,but this feature remains popular at MBGN.
Due to the country’s conservative standards, Very few contestant competed in the early days of MBGN and competitors from Northern Nigeria are still rare as its predominantly Muslim population frown on beauty Pageants.
Today, the two national beauty pageants, Miss Nigeria and MBGN exist side by side with uneasy calm,but it is clear which has an upper hand. Miss Nigeria is at its best, an option for those who are testing the waters or were unsuccessful with their MBGN run. For instance Miss Nigeria 2018, Chidinma Aaron was formerly a contestant at MBGN 2017.
By: Jacob Obinna
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.”