Funmilayo, Damilola win Elite Model Look Nigeria

IT was a night of class, style, fashion and entertainment last Sunday, as Funmilayo Akinjuola and Damilola Okunola were crowned winners of the 2015 edition of the Aquafina Elite Model Look Nigeria. They beat 18 other contestants to win $5,000 prize each in the female and male categories.

Held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, the grand finale was highly contested and kudos should be given to the impartial panel of judges for making the best selections which was attested to by large number of the audience who stormed the event to witness one of the biggest model competitions, courtesy of Aquafina table water, a brand of Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc.

It was a great moment of excitement, as the male and female contestants dazzled in different outfits by top class local and international designers.

Funmilayo, a 17-year old 100 level student of University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State described her mother as her biggest supporter and influence. “I was told I have the potential and my Mum kept encouraging me to go for my dream,” she said.

Damilola, winner of the male category, who was in the competition for the third time, while commending the sponsoring brand for transforming his life through the Elite Model competition, said, “though he was weak at the initial stages, had improved during the processes. He said he was aware of the requirements of the competition, which prompted him to work on his weight to qualify and make it to the final.”

Speaking at the event, Managing Director, Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, Mr. Sunil Sawhney, expressed his company’s commitment to providing platforms, which young Nigerians can realise their dreams.

Sawhney said: “We truly believe in the youth of Nigeria and that through Seven-Up brands, Nigerian youth can make their dreams come true. I congratulate Funmilayo and Damilola, and I’m sure they will make the brand and the country proud as they storm China to contest at the Elite Model International competition.”

Aquafina have been lead sponsors of the model search, which is the most renowned international modeling competition in the world, for three year now. The pageant provides opportunity for young boys and girls to enter the fashion and modeling world.