By Olusegun Olanrewaju
Beauty pageants come in various classes and profile in the country. They range from the mother of them all, Miss Nigeria, to the local versions of international brands such as Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (which originated from Miss Universe), and even sectarian ones like Esther Beauty Pageant (to select the Christian Queen in Nigeria).

The industry used to be draped in glamour, until the outset of Coronavirus pandemic.

For the most past of the last one year, there has been an ominous silence in that aspect of the entertainment industry – beauty pageantry.

But after a gloomy lull ably aided by the pandemic, beauty pageants are set for a return in Nigeria, and with a bang.

Perhaps this November, the most notable of them all, Miss Nigeria, is billed to hold at a yet-to-be-announced location in Lagos.

An earlier edition in 2020 edition had been postponed because of the Covid-19 virus.

The last edition was held in November 2019 in Lagos.
The winner of that year’s beauty competition was Etsanyi Tukura, who represented Taraba State.

So, this November, anybody who wishes to be a prospective participant in the Miss Nigeria pageant is free to apply, organisers have said.

It’s only that they must between the ages of 18 and 25, and, strictly speaking, be healthy Nigerian citizens, single and without pregnancy.

They are also expected to be good communicators “who can flow in the English Language’’.

Participants must also be ladies without any form of mark or drawings, including tattoos or facial marks.
The pageant

Miss Nigeria, as an annual beauty pageant, took off in 1957.
It was designed to showcase beauty and intelligence, boost confidence, and expose other potentials in Nigerian women.
Participants may include models “and those within the age limit that think they have all it takes to be the winner.’’

The Miss Nigeria beauty pageant is always graced by a large turnout of dignitaries from across Nigeria and some parts of the world.

So, this November, all things being equal, stakeholders will be privileged to see participants dressed in various attire, including traditional wears, gowns, swimming wears, among others.

They will also be blessed with open viewing of stage catwalks, to the cheers of the spectators and the display of Nigerian culture.

Winners are always picked by a panel of judges, or the organisers of the event.

Organisers say the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant has significantly affected the lives of women positively due to the ‘fact’ that the participants who emerged winners often smiled home with a handsome reward.

If this year’s edition survives the COVID-19 scare, then we can safely conclude that the trend will continue.

Participants are expected to undergo training to overcome stage fright and become bold to face the public.

The competition
The competition usually highlights talent, the traditional, interview, and others. There are categories which selected contestants are expected to participate in, and scores allocated for each part of the competition.

Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN)
Another notable beauty pageant in Nigeria that is most likely to breast the tape of performance this year is the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN).

The pageant started in 1983, and it was first known as Miss Universe Nigeria.

It was, however, renamed three years later, as the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN).

Since its coming on board, it has been organised by Senator Ben Bruce’s Silverbird Group.

MBGN has always prided itself as having produced ‘well-refined’ and ‘presentable’ ladies in the society, as seen in the cases of Lynda Chuba, who later emerged as Miss Africa and a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives.

The forerunners of MDGN, Miss Universe, in 2001, wrote their name in the book of records when the pageant produced the first and ever Miss World, Agbani Darego

Agbani also made it to the semi-finals of the Miss Universe beauty contest held at Bayamon, Puerto Rico, in 2001.

This year, if the pageant succeeds in holding despite Covid-19, the pageant will be trying to re-enact the exploits of Agbani and the 2005 winner, Omowumi Akinnfesi, who won the Miss Tourism International pageant held at Black Sea, Ukraine.

Due to the performances of MBGN contestants, the Federal Government selected five contestants from MBGN pageant to represent the country in the international competitions in 2007, against the usual practice of selecting from various pageantry organisations.

The date for the 2021 34th edition, venue, and deadline for registration have also yet to be announced.

This information, however, contrasts sharply with a signing off post on the social media which suggests the hosting date on October 11, 2021.

Requirements for 2021 MBGN
Prospective participants in the MBGN are expected to be Nigerian by citizenship, aged between 18 and 24.

They must be single (never had a child or married), and must be able to compete in the Miss International, Miss ECOWAS, Miss Tourism, and Miss World.

They are expected to show up with a swimsuit and heels to the screening locations, venues for audition, at Enugu, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos.

Winners of the MBGN stand the chance of receiving modelling contracts and bagging endorsement deals from multinational companies.

Apart from representing Nigeria at the Miss World Contest, the winner of the contest will also go home with a cash prize of N3million and a car,’’ the organisers stated.

Other notable pageants which might stir to life this year include Miss Commonwealth Nigeria Pageant, founded by an ex-beauty queen, Vanessa Okeke.

Aimed at empowering women as well as reforming, restoring and re-branding the dented image of Nigeria in the diaspora, the new pageant may also hold in this year if the odds are right.

The LMDN beauty pageant is likely to come up too. An introduction to this is online.

It is geared at introducing Kid Star Models, as well as requesting invitation for the upcoming event, Little Miss Damsel Nigeria 2021.

The pageant, Little Miss Damsel Nigeria, according to the organisers, is a beauty pageant aimed at campaigning against child abuse in the society.

There is also Miss Petite Nigeria Pageant, advertised as “one of the beauty contests all over the world that considers a particular height as a qualification to participate in a beauty pageant.

It is scheduled to hold in Lagos, and the criterion is, no doubt, aimed at fighting social injustice.

Miss Nigeria UK
Here also comes Miss Nigeria UK, formerly known as Mr. And Miss Nigeria UK.

It is a cultural pageant event usually organised annually to expose the culture of the Nigerian nation in the diaspora.
The date for the 2021 Miss Nigeria UK beauty contest Grande finale, the organisers say, will be announced soon, but will likely take place in October at Wyndham Palace, New York Street, London, to celebrate Nigeria’s Independence Day.

It is being presented by Vir2uous Limited, aimed at empowering and enriching the Nigerian culture in the UK.

According to the organisers, the first and second runner(s)-up would be awarded accordingly, and the contestants would be judged based on their poise, communication, personality, walk, talent, and question answering.

Face of Nigeria 2021
Another version of 2021 Face of Face of Independence Nigeria, the organisers say, is likely to be hosted in Abuja later in the year.

“The pageant and beauty contest will be showcasing the beauty of freedom and celebrating Nigeria’s Independence Day yearly and giving awards to credible Nigerians, entrepreneurs, government organisations, and non-governmental organisations as well.’’

An earlier maiden version of the beauty pageant came into existence in 2011.

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The star prize at the maiden edition was N250,000.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the successful holding of these pageants would suggest that the pangs of the third wave of the coronavirus did not hit Nigeria badly.