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Interview with Mr & Miss Nigeria UK 2014
Other | Sunday 9th November 2014 | Noelle
History was made on the 12th October 2014. As Ganiyat Alli (Founder) of Vir2uous limited presented the first ever Mr and Miss Nigeria UK (MMNUK) beauty pageant.
Mr & Miss Nigeria UK is an annual beauty pageant aimed at empowering and enriching the Nigerian culture in the UK. The showcase took place in October in celebration of Nigeria's Independence and will be used as a tool to connect London born and raised Nigerian’s with their heritage back home. The main aims of the event are to unite and educate the masses.
The event will also be linked to a charity based in Nigeria, Earth's Haven Care Foundation, to help further develop the country and bring awareness to the underlining issues of Nigeria. The winners of the showcase will agree to carry out all charity work set for them as well as representing the brand for the full year of their reign. This event will also provide a sense of solidarity within the British Nigerian community; bringing them together through education, fashion, beauty and entertainment.
What an eventful night it was. The room was packed, all the judges, special guests and attendees looked lovely as they waited for the pageant to start. As the 12 finals anxiously prepared themselves backstage, the excitement finally kicked in.
The show went really well and at the end of the night Mr Bilal Nosa Eweka (25) and Miss Adebisi Oluwadamilola Akindayini (20) were crowned Mr and Miss Nigeria UK 2014.
I had the privilege of interviewing the winners who were both still very overwhelmed at the fact that they won.
How did Miss Nigeria feel about winning?
"It's a absolute blessing. Blessing is the only word I can think of. Absolute blessing!"
She also went on to say she applied for Mr and Miss Nigeria UK because she felt like it was a unique opportunity that she had never come across before. She felt like it would be a platform for her to experience new opportunities and be a part of something great that would unite young Nigerians in the UK.
She further stated: "The greatest influence in my life, is my mother. She is the true definition of a Warrior. She inspires me, motivates me, regulates me and empowers me to be the true definition of an independent woman with morals. I aspire to be like her."
Bilal Eweka on the other hand said, "If I am being honest, It still hasn't sunk in that I am the first Mr Nigeria UK let alone winning the crown...All in all I would say I feel privileged and would make sure I keep my promise of being a role model to the Nigerian youths and adults in the UK."
He further stated, "I applied for Mr & Miss Nigeria UK because I wanted to be a part of history in the UK; which is being the first contestant of a great show supporting a great nation Nigeria. Also because of the love I have for my motherland and its culture, thought it would be a good way to show it by getting involved."
Just like Adebisi, Bilal also confessed that his mother is his first greatest influence. He stated, "it might sound like a cliché but my mother is my first greatest influence. As a mum she has supported me all through every endeavor. She has made sure I get the best of the best, even though I have always complained and try to go against her thoughts. Secondly, my little brother has also had some-worth influence on me, through decisions I make as I strive to be a role model he can look up to."
A lot of people don't know that Adebisi faced a few problems back stage, from the zip on her dress breaking, to her violin dying just before her talent round and so forth. She declared, "at that point in time I didn't expect to win. If not for the support of the backstage team, my determination to achieve and God being by my side, I don't know what would have happened."
Bilal didn't face any problems backstage, However he did say he never had it in mind to win because the other guys were very much prepared and he felt absolutely unprepared.
When asked how he felt when his name was announced, Bilal says: "I literally had no idea what to do with myself. If I should smile, sing, dance, cry or obviously go to the seat ordained for the Queen. I stood still. Taking in the moment where all my hard works and efforts became worthwhile. The moment where I knew I had made my mum proud. I stood still. I felt all this at one go, it was so surreal & so overwhelming. As I said earlier it is a true blessing."
What advice would Adebisi and Bilal give to prospective applicants?
Adebisi: "Be determined, focus and work hard. Most of all do not forget to be yourself, considerate and kind to all those you encounter because, the reality of the matter is that you don't know where the people you encounter may take you in the near future."
Bilal: "Never hesitate to follow your dreams and most importantly always believe in yourself."
I briefly spoke to Miss Ganiyat Alli founder or MMNUK who told me:
"I feel proud as I have been able to start something and continue with it no matter how bad things get. I am also grateful for the support that people have shown and how I have been able to encourage people ins such a big way. The show exceeded my expectation and from here onward it can only get bigger and better."
Mr and Miss Nigeria UK would to thank everyone who supported them along their journey. They would also like to thank Miss Ganiyat Alli and Vir2uous limited for giving them a platform to stand on and show their love for Nigeria.
For applications for next year log on to: www.officialmmnuk.com
Written by Noelle Asiedu
