Calabar, the Cross River State capital, was last Saturday agog as 37 contestants drawn from the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital, Abuja stormed the otherwise sleepy state for this year’s edition of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant.
Scheduled to hold at the 5,000 seat capacity Calabar International Convention Centre, the organisers of the event, Silverbird Group, have promised the best ever.
In a carnival-like atmosphere, Cross River residents stormed the Margaret Ekpo International Airport to receive the bevy of beauties.
Speaking to newsmen shortly on arrival at the airport, the Manager Entertainment of Silverbird Group, Alozie Uzoukwu, said: “The most beautiful and cleanest state in Nigeria, is hosting this year’s Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) pageant. I promise you a world-class package that will depict real entertainment.”
Uzoukwu said Calabar has always been a unique place and this event cannot be an exception in terms of content.
He said: “It will be the best show we have ever organised. Mind you, we are also introducing a unique feature in this year’s show. It is the Mother-Daughter Pageant show, which is slated for 17th October, before the grand finale of the MBGN on the 24th.
“We are bringing to the stage an exceptional bond that exists between the Silverbird and Cross River with a view to sustaining a peaceful coexistence.”
With the theme of this year’s pageant centred on Climate Change, the Producer of the show, Juliet Hagarmen, noted: “We are moulding a queen that will challenge her counterparts at the global arena during the Miss World and Miss Universe Event. So, we are putting up a show that will be accepted internationally.”
The Special Adviser, Governor’s Office and Event Management, Ken Akhla, disclosed that the state is collaborating with Silverbird Group to package the event to show to the world its innate features of hospitality, warmth and receptiveness in Nigeria.
Shortly after assuming office, the state Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, had signed a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf the state government for a four-year-hosting right with the pageant organizers, Silverbird.