Chairman of Miss Nigeria 1957, Rita Dominic, has celebrated Grace Atinuke Oyelude, the first Miss Nigeria, ahead of her 93rd birthday today.

Recall that the actress recently took over administration of the Miss Nigeria organization after it was run by Folio Communications, owners of Daily Times for 16 years. Founder and chairman of Folio Communications, Fidelis Anosike, transferred the responsibility of producing and organizing the Miss Nigeria Pageant to The Audrey Silva Company (TASC), owned by his wife, Dominic and renowned film director, Mildred Okwo.

In a statement yesterday, Dominic joined family members, friends and professional colleagues in lauding the nonagenarian.

“We are immensely delighted to celebrate the evergreen beauty and brave leader, Chief Oyelude, on the occasion of her 93rd birthday. Her courage, resolve and great strength of character are excellent qualities that have endeared her to us and many others.”

The statement noted Oyelude’s trail-blazing effort of inspiring girls and women of all ages to achieve their dreams, particularly her ability to leverage Miss Nigeria platform to make meaningful contributions to Nigeria and humanity in general.

According to Mr. Fidelis Anosike whose Folio Communication owns Miss Nigeria 1957, “Chief Mrs Grace Oyelude is a mother par excellence and a trailblazer for women empowerment.”

Born on November 16, 1931 in Sabon Gari, Kano to James and Martha Oyelude, the beauty queen cum senior citizen won the maiden edition of Miss Nigeria in 1957. She contested with over 200 other ladies and emerged the winner.

Oyelude would later use part of her 200 pounds prize money to travel to England where she studied nursing. She worked briefly in England before returning to Nigeria to serve in various capacities.

Meanwhile, TASC is putting finishing touches to plans for announcing the call for entries for the Miss Nigeria pageant, which will be held in the first quarter of 2024.