Behold Ada Ogbunike

Miss Ogechukwu Ibemesi has emerged winner of the maiden edition of Ada Ogbunike Beauty Pageant. Organised as part of the Ogbunike Cave Carnival (OCC), the contest, which was staged on New Year Day, at the Ogbunike Town Hall, Ogbunike, Aambra State, saw the 300-level Accounting Student of the National Open University of Nigeria beat other four finalists to the crown.

Chaired by Chief Levi Elobisi, the event, which attracted dignitaries from within and outside the community, was spiced with comedy by the likes of MC Okwadike and musical performances headlined by rapper Slow Dog. Meanwhile, popular dance crew, Omega Inspired set the stage on fire with their electrifying dance moves.

After their group dance, the five finalists made their first outing in sports outfits, then returned with dinner wears before making their final appearance in native attires. A three-man jury made up of broadcaster cum show host, Lorenzo Menakaya; CEO of Uyo Model Search, Ubong Ekanem; and current Queen of Anambra Heritage, Chioma uzofo, judged their performance.

At the end of the contest that lasted into the night, the judges declared Ogechukwu Ibemesi winner, while Belinda Udeogwu and Mary Agulue emerged first and second runners up respectively.

Receiving her crown, Ada Ogbunike winner Ogechukwu, who is also a model, said, “I want to use this opportunity to thank the organisers for giving me the opportunity to achieve this; I’m really excited. With this crown, I intend to reach out to Ogbunike youths in particular and Nigerian youths in general on the need to shun violence and embrace peace. I plan to organise together sensitisation programme where we will encourage them to work towards actualising their dreams,” she said.

According to the project manager for Ogbunike Cave Carnival and Executive Producer for Ada Ogbunike Adaeze Uzodoh, the pageant is a platform for grooming young ladies on what it takes to be an ideal Ogbunike woman.