Entertainment
Rivers Indigene Wins Miss Teen Beauty Pageant In Egypt
Rivers State has not been in the world map or mentioned recently in terms of beauty pageant contest both national and Internationally.
That does not mean the State no longer have beautiful young ladies or teens but it was the fact that most of them are shying away occasioned by lack of sponsorship and self confidence to contest in beauty pageant contests.
It is worthy to note that Miss Sokari Ibunimi West, age 16, an indigene of Bille town in Degema Local Government Area in Rivers State, Nigeria has continuously made the country proud by representing Nigeria in some beauty pageant contests recently, she represented the country in Egypt at the Eco Teen International Beauty Contest and won the Miss Eco Teen continental 2023.
This was after she contested for Miss Damsel Nigeria (LMDN) in 2020 but didn’t win.
The win no doubt was not only for Rivers State and her community but for the entire nation hence the flag of Nigeria was hoisted at far away Egypt. This success story was like a dream come through for Miss West.
According to her, she was excited when they announced her name as one of the winners. She dedicated her win to God, saying that without Him she cannot achieve this feat.
” Even though I know I have the potentials to make my country ( Nigeria) proud but first I have to give thanks to God Almighty for making it possible for me.
I also want to say that my success story would not be complete without mentioning my mother because she is my role model, she taught me to be positive at all times. She told me I should have determination and work hard, apart from that honestly my ‘Mum’ was really supportive, all these are things that inspired me a lot.
” I equally want to say that my success would not have been totally completed without Ayotamuno Peace Okorite, the CEO of Pelma Fashion House who designed all my outings in the contest. I must say that Pelma Fashion House is one the best in Nigeria because of their sense of creativity in terms of fashion and designing”, Miss West said.
The beauty queen, explained that her vision was to foster peace and unity in various communities in the State and assist the less privileged people, as she strive to continually make her country proud.
” My vision was to prevent Nigeria environmental hazards through enlightenment campaigns, workshops and seminars. Apart from that I will also foster peace and unity in various towns and communities.
“I will challenge myself and grow in confidence and to use every platform given to me to create awareness about the importance of preserving nature and make connections within and outside the industry. I will use the opportunity to make new friends, have fun and represent my culture as a proud daughter of Bille Kingdom”, she added.
She further revealed that her ambition was also to establish a Foundation which aim and objective will be prevention of environmental pollution and also establish Eco club for kids.
Miss West use the opportunity to correct the wrong perceptions conceived by some people that beauty pageants are sex mongers and promoters. She said beauty contest was to showcase the outer beauty, exhibition of talents, intelligence and qualities of a person.
“Beauty pageants are not sex promoters, that was a real misconception by some persons. It is like stating the obvious that beauty pageants promote peace and unity in their location , most times they establish Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to empower youths.
” I advice beauty queens to use the platform given to them to canvas for positive changes in their environment through rubost enlightenment campaigns and seminars to eradicate social vices. I further urge them to utilised the platform judiciously” she stated.
By: Tonye Orabere
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.”