Entertainment
Chioma Obiadi Emerges Miss Nigeria 2016
The 40th Miss Nigeria Beauty Pageant was held on Monday 19th December, 2016 at Eko Hotel and Suite, Victoria Island Lagos with excitement heralding the winner, Miss Chioma Obiadi from Anambra State. According to reports, the yearly event started in 1957 when the first Miss Nigeria was hosted and has continued to produce outstanding role models to the young ones.
In the past years, pageantry was a family affair which seeks to bring family-friendly competition and the opportunity to be a role model. The Miss Nigeria Beauty Pageant formed a major part of showcasing the cultural heritage of the Nigerian woman. Those that have held the position had developed to be role models in the society and provided the needed mentorship for the young ones.
Another thing to note in the competition is the elimination of Swimwear segment and replacing it with more refined cultural attire. This was done to uphold the uniqueness and ideals of Nigerian cultural heritage. The spectacle also provided a platform for empowering the participating young girls and helping women to improve their social status.
The 2016 pageant, however, lived up to expectations as the celebrities from the entertainment industry and other important dignitaries thronged the venue, Eko Hotel and Suites. It is also noteworthy that this year’s pageant coincided with the winner of the maiden edition of the Miss Nigeria, Mrs Grace Oyelade’s birthday.
Mama Oyelade clocked 88 and was honoured with a birthday rendition by all the guests at Miss Nigeria 2016. In his speech, former Governor of Ogun State and former Editor and Managing Director of Daily Times, Olusegun Osoba, lauded the organisers for keeping the show alive. “I must commend the organisers for keeping our memories alive, we would have been the forgotten ones save this event. This is a pageant that was supervised by us when I was the editor in Daily Times and I thank God that the memories are still fresh.”
“We also thank God that the winner of the first edition of the beauty pageant is here with us and she has yet to lose all the qualities she possessed that time. She is 88 years today, I pray that I will still look good as she is when I reach that age, on,” he said. The event also had popular Television Comedian, Ayo Makun (AY) and Laila on stage cracking jokes to entertain the guests.
The 38 contestants from the Federal Capital Territory and the 36 states made their first appearance in their respective traditional attires and also danced to a song by Omawumi to honour the newly crowned Oba of Benin. Their third appearance was in their evening dresses after which the judges announced the top ten finalists. Afterwards, the contestants were reduced to five and then three, and the winner of the 40th Miss Nigeria Beauty Pageant, Miss Chioma Obiadi from Anambra, Miss Blessing Obila from Ebonyi was second, while the third place winner is Miss Shade from Kwara.
Speaking with journalists at the event, the first runner up and a graduate of Public Administration from Akwa Ibom State University, Obila, expressed happiness being the first runner-up. “I feel very happy and it has been a great experience for me. I believe God has a plan for me by taking me this far. I know being the first runner-up comes with responsibilities and discipline and I believe God will help me to discharge my duties as expected,” she said.
“I will like to do community work and contribute to the society at large. Tonight has been a wonderful one. “My plan for the future is to start my own business. I want to be an entrepreneur,” she said. Miss Nigeria 2016 won for herself a brand new SUV, one year serviced apartment, all expense paid trip to France, a 6 month skills acquisition training in any institution of her choice and N5 million cash prize. She would also represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe Contest next year.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’