Entertainment
Mr And Miss Nigeria Int’l Pageant 2016 Beckons
Mr and Miss Nigeria
International is one event that has taken over the internet space for the past month, as count down to the grand finale has begun. It is no news that the event in its 5th edition has created a niche for itself. A lot of buzz surrounds such a great annual event as many people are anticipating what this year’s event might have to offer.
Mr and Miss Nigeria Intl (MMNI) started in 2012, produced by Brendance and Crusader Limited which is a fully integrated event management company privately owned by Ambassador Bredan Nsikak. It is ranked among the top 10 projects in the list of projects that the company which was formed in 2005 in handling. Its focus is to capitalize on the emerging growth opportunities with poise and pageantry, artist management and even planning/management industry by developing and operating a portfolio of high impact unique events with state of the art stage sets and lighting in all projects handled, to promote Nigeria’s rich culture to the world.
Speaking to the CEO of the pageant, Ambassador Brendan Nsikak about how far the event has come he said, “It has been fruitful. There is still much to be achieved, and with our partners like Africa ways airline, Rwanda airline, Jodela Integrated Service Ltd and so many others we can say we are the biggest mixed pageant in Africa in general, God has been merciful”.
Ambassador Brendan, who is the CEO of Brendance and Crusaders Limited, owners of Mr and Miss Nigeria International is a graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Uyo and drama from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, he later studied poise and etiquette in South Africa, modeling and catwalk in France and the U.K Event planning and Management in UK.
He is a talent manager, life and modeling coach and an event producer. He has led, or have been a major team player of some major events to include Mr and Miss Nigeria International Miss Nigeria (2003 – 2010), Miss Tourism (2004 – 2010), Prettiest girl in Nigeria 2006, Sisi Oge Pride of Africa 2005 – 2013, Mr and Miss Glo Rock and Rule 2008 – 2009, Naija at 50 national fashion show, Abuja Carnival 2009, Miss Lagos Carnival 2010. Miss FCT 2010 – 2013, Glo Pageant festival 2010 till date F.A.M.E concert 2014. The younger judge ever in Abuja National Carnival 2007 – 2013 just to mention a few.
When asked what the achievements of the pageant have been, Ambassador Brendan said: “To God be the glory, the success so far has been through the help of the Almighty God. For four years we have produced entrepreneurs , role models, fashion designers starting from our first King, Mr James Idowu, who is a bespoke designer and the most sought after compere in Nigeria. The first runner up, Mr Michael Anaga has gone from a top model from Glo Adverts to logistic manager, Nigeria Ports Authority. Miss Mso Verishma has become the most sought after top model, ambassador for fair and white gold product.
She currently runs as NGO for female education. 2013 winner Adebiyi Adetola has become one of the ruling faces in Nigeria soap Operas, he is also a body fitness instructor.
“Miss Saadat Bibire, the first ever Muslim queen in Nigeria, founder SAAB foundation, brand ambassador lady soft, leading top model for a lot of blogs and fashion, Pope Henry, fashion stylist of repute. Queenmercy Atang, face of Kanu Heart Foundation. She has been rated the most proactive queen in Nigeria because of her humanitarian service in Nigeria and beyond.
Mr Monday Matthew, the first national king from Kogi State, he is a youth ambassador for Dangote group and youth ambassador of Kogi State. Mr Abraham Ibang, director 084TV program and a presenter, Gerald, Mr East International who is a popular blogger to mention a few.
Spotify yesterday revealed a significant surge in heartbreak song streams in Nigeria during the Valentine’s Day season, with a 626 percent increase between 2022 and 2024.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Lagos, Nigeria by Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa Phiona Okumu.
Okumu said, “Spotify data reveals a surprising trend, a massive surge in heartbreak song streams.
“Nigerians are turning to their playlists to express their emotions, with a staggering 626 per cent overall growth in heartbreak streams from 2022 to 2024.
“This Valentine, the sound of love is accompanied by the sound of heartbreak, and the data shows it’s louder than ever before.”
She said on Valentine’s Day, most surprisingly, male listeners streamed heartbreak songs at a significantly higher rate than female listeners, with a 362 per cent increase compared to 169 per cent among women.
“This could suggest that men resonate with the feeling of heartbreak more and turn to music as a private outlet for processing emotions.
“Whatever the reason, one thing is clear, when love is in the air, so is heartbreak and Nigerian men are pressing play on their pain more than expected.
“While Valentine’s Day is often celebrated with grand gestures, heartbreak is a common theme on Valentine’s Day -more than what’s publicly shown,” she said.
Nigerians will join their counterparts across the world to mark the 2025 Valentine’s today.
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has joined MLS side San Diego FC’s ownership group as a club partner.
SDFC announced today that Tems joined the ownership group through her company, The Leading Vibe.
In the process, Tems became the first African woman to be involved in MLS ownership.
“We are delighted that Tems has joined San Diego FC as a club partner,” SDFC chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour said in a statement.
“Tems is a globally significant artist who will help us reach new audiences and spread the word about our unique project, which, of course, has its foundations in sub-Saharan Africa through the unique Right to Dream organisation.”
Reacting to her addition as the latest partner in SDFC’s ownership group, the singer said: “I am thrilled to join San Diego FC’s ownership group and to be part of a club that celebrates creativity, culture, and the power of community.
“Football has a unique way of bringing people together, and I am excited to help build something special in San Diego, a city that thrives on diversity and innovation.”
Fashion and beauty entrepreneur, Toyin Lawani, has claimed she is enduring back pain and that her spine is degenerating.
Lawani revealed this in a video posted on social media last Tuesday.
In the clip, she opened up about her experience with epidural anesthesia, an injection administered to pregnant women in the spine to reduce pain during childbirth.
The mother of three claimed that since receiving the injection, she has not felt like herself.
She accused doctors of not fully informing women about the long-term side effects of epidurals.
According to Lawani, she received the anesthetic injection during the birth of her last two children.
She said, “When you hear ‘epidural,’ run. Doctors tell you about the side effects but do not tell you about the long-term effects on your body. I have about three friends having the same issues that I am having.
“Like, I am just 42, how did I end up with spine issues? I have a degenerating spine. I have implants in my spine. I go paralyzed. I can’t stand for a long time. I can’t even breathe properly sometimes because it affected so many things in my body when I had the surgery.
“They will not tell you because you just want the pain to go away. I have had two epidurals. I had my first as natural birth. The last two were epidural. The last one I had epidural because I had to undergo a surgery and I had no choice.
“See, the pain does not stop. My back is killing me and my spine is degenerating.”