Though the widely publicised most beautiful girl in Nigeria (MBGN) 2010 Beauty Pageant, which happens to be the 23rd edition of the national beauty event has come and gone, the contest lost and won, the memories of that historic day of May 22nd 2010 at the New Exhibition Hall, Eko Hotel and Suits, Victoria Island, Lagos, still remain ever green in the minds of those who were opportuned to watch or witness the activities live.

That eventful day, marked the victory of Miss Plateau State, Amuzie Aforma Fiona, over 29 other contestants to clinch the coveted crown. She was later crowned by her predecessor, Glory Chukwu. The first runner-up in the keenly contested pageant went to Miss Niger, Odalonu  Ngozi, Miss Rivers, Nengi Wariboko was crowned second runner up, while Miss Ekiti, Obiora Charity Chineye and Miss Gombe, Lynda Dunkwu emerged third and fourth runners up respectively.

According to our sources, the winner of the 2010 MBGN, Amuzie Fiona, who becomes the 23rd MBGN queen went home with three million naira, a Subaru Saloon car and will represent Nigeria at this year’s Miss World Beauty Pageant in Vietnam. The first runner up Odalonu Ngozi will represent the country at Miss Universe Pageant, while the second runner-up, Nengi Wariboko will take part in the Miss Tourism Pageant and the third runner up Obiora Charity will represent the country at the Miss ECOWAS Beauty Pageant.

It was gathered that the beauty pageant organised by the Silver Bird group and sponsored by some corporate organisations also produced other categories of winners who include: Miss Ebonyi, Shalom Obi who becomes the face of Select PRO cosmetics for one year, in addition to N500,000 cash and a trip to London. Miss Taraba, Oyaole Rosabel, emerged the new Miss photogenic, Miss Amity Award went to Miss Kwara, Chukwueke Chineye, while the best traditional costume went to Miss Niger Delta, Osiki Onorna. Miss Abuja, Onyeka Martina Udechukwu became the fourth face of sera from the stable of classic beverages, makers of La casera, she also went home with the sum of one million naira cash.

Before the fifteen out of thirty contestants were chosen, they made three appearances in their traditional wears, swim suits and the evening wears which was the basis upon which the judges drew their appraisal from. At the end of the third appearance, the judges made up of Richard Harts, chairman, Eko Hotels, Agbani Derego, former MBGN winner and Miss World, Sarah Boulus, former Mr. Nigeria Bryan Okpara, Omowunmi Akinifesi and Nadia Lotova, all agreed that the top fifteen contestants had scaled the first hurdle.

It was further gathered that they were chosen based on short SMS messages which afforded many contestants opportunity of having their friends and well wishers vote for them as many times as possible, an avenue  which threw up the final 15. Apart from the entertainment the guests got from the contestants, they were also thrilled by traditional dancers from all the six geo political zones across the country as well as Yemi Alade, winner of Peak Talent Hunt Show, Timi Dakolo and Jeffery Daniels an American Singer cum dance instructor to late King of Pop music Micheal Jackson  who performed the famous moon walk dance steps on stage.

Other celebrities that graced the occasion include: Chief Festus Odumegwu, MD, Nigerian Breweries, MBGN queen 2007, Munachi Abi, Paul Okoye of P-Square among others. It was indeed a night to remember.