Miss Nigeria International held a second world press conference on the 28th November 2017, in Lagos Nigeria, at the Hotel Morehouse, formerly Sofitel in Ikoyi, Lagos Nigeria. The first was held in the USA the host country on the 26th October 2017.
In attendance at the Lagos press conference, were some of the big media houses, top Nigerian celebrities; to name a few; Nollywood Director, Charles Novia, Prince Oyefusi Akanni of Nobel Afrik School & designs and Miss commonwealth Nigeria 2003, Chief Mrs Nkem Onwumah Ituludiegwu 2003. Also present were some of the contestants in Nigeria, namely; Peace Miebi, Marian Asanlu and Fisayo Osibajo.
The press conference was streamed live on Facebook to the over 17 thousand Miss Nigerian International Facebook followers and and the facebook users in general. From the press conference in Lagos Nigeria, we were connected with some of the Miss Nigeria International team in the United State of America and was broadcaster live in the Conference hall.
The first team member we connected with was the founder/executive producer of Miss Nigeria International and former Miss Commonwealth; Vanessa Ekeke who spoke about the project’s mission and vision direct from USA. Other TEAM members who also spoke to us live from the USA were Nena Jones (Legal Consultant), Leah Adegbesote (Public Relations Manager) and Othelia Joy (Co-Host).
The press conference is meant to unveil the maiden edition of Project Miss Nigeria International 2018, which is holding in Minneapolis, USA, in May, 2018.
ABOUT MISS NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL (MNI)
Miss Nigeria International (MNI) is a glamorous beauty pageant which will attract girls of Nigerian descent living in the USA, Canada, South America and other part of the world, between the ages of 18 and 26, to compete for the title of Miss Nigeria International. A total of 36 contestants will vie for the crown. The competition is scheduled to hold in May 26th at the prestigious Carlson Family stage at the Northrop Theater at the University of Minnesota. However, the contestants will arrive Minneapolis on May 22nd and remain at the designated accommodation during the week of the pageant for training and rehearsals. The Pageant is positioned to empower women beyond far beauty by actively engaging on the platforms of:
- Eradication of women illiteracy
- Inspire creativity and nurture talents
- Foster entrepreneurship amongst widows
The Prices:
First price: $10,000USD Cash price, opportunity to represent Nigeria at an International Pageant and model an American modeling agency. 1st runner up: $2,000USD and opportunity to represent Nigeria at the Miss Congeniality 2018, in Seychelles Island. 2nd runner up: $1,000USD, 3rd/4th runner-ups: $500USD. Plus gift cards, bags and electronic gadgets. All contestants stands the chance to model for American modeling agency.
The Founder
Miss Vanessa Ekeke is the founder of Miss Nigeria International pageant. She competed and won the maiden edition of the first ever Miss Vanessa Ekeke was born into a privileged existence with attendant responsibilities. Life presented her with many choices but by providence she found herself in the media and entertainment.
She won the maiden edition of the Miss Commonwealth Nigeria beauty Pageant and represented Nigeria at the Miss Earth Beauty competition in Manila, Philippines. She served as an Ambassador for the Royal Commonwealth Society in London. Ironically shy and introverted, she found in the media an opportunity to participate in the world. Endowed with Multi-Potentiality, she often finds expressions in writing, arts, photography, documentaries, events, travel and creativity.
She is a diligent worker, relentless optimist and a sworn perfectionist who believes that only 100% is good enough. Her personality is the result of the fusion of strength, resilience, determination, loyalty and humility. She is a pen disguised as a women, passionately in love with real life and the words and images that capture it.
She turned this into her career and sees the MNI as a center for social reformation presenting a platform where she can drive all her faculties. Her academic training from the University of Lagos and Syracuse University in New York at the Bachelors and Masters level respectively, was centered on History and Documentary; and today, she is a Maestro in every sense of the word. She is a story teller and believes that Miss Nigeria International (MNI) will become a medium for giving voice to women and other people, places and events that are least represented in the media. She is a true life survivor en-graced with the rare ability to win all the time. She is also debonair. She is fascinated by words and is on her way to becoming a sesquipedalian. Vanessa loves life and lives it to the fullest and is driven by excellence and commitment to the works of her hands. She is an uncompromising non-conformist, yet liberal. Vanessa prides her connections with people in power and is determined to balance the socio-economic inequity between women and men using education, skills and character to uphold the dignity and integrity of the Nigerian woman
The Team
Nkem Ituludiegwu (National Spokesperson): Nkem Onwumah Ituludiegwu won the second edition of the Miss Commonwealth Nigeria in 2003.The second of three children, she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminology from South Africa. She is currently studying for her master’s degree. Nkem is a devout Christian who believes in the divine hand and intervention of God in our everyday lives. Nkem Dilim is a relentless optimist and an entepreenuer who runs a number of businesses in Nutrition, health, life coaching and counseling sectors. She is married and blessed with three children. She is a lover of style, fashion and beauty who believes that your style is an extension of your personality. Nkem is proud to identify with the Miss Nigeria International as the National Spokes Person and Global Ambassador
Nena Jones (Legal Consultant) Nnenna Jones.,Esq (LLB, B.L, LLM), brings more than 7 years of creativity and diversity to her career as an international lawyer. Nnenna’s educational background reflects an impressive history of legal advisory roles in Nigeria, South Africa, Germany and the United States. She is passionate about environmental causes and empowering young women. Her commitment to legal advocacy and service has expressed itself in many forms, including working in a Texas based non-profit organization, providing legal assistance and support to survivors of domestic violence and abuse.
Nnenna graduated from the University of Capetown, South Africa with a Master’s degree in Marine and Environmental law, bachelor’s degree in Law from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria; graduate certificates in Entrepreneurship, Business Analysis from Southern Methodist University, Dallas and University of California, Irvine respectively. She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association and is currently studying towards writing the Texas Bar exam. She’s thrilled to be a team member of MNI, a cause dedicated to help young girls unlock their potentials and change the world. Currently, Nnenna resides in Allen, Texas and in her past time, enjoys travelling and hanging out with her son.
Leah Adegbesote (Public Relations Manager) Leah Adegbesote was born into a humble family where she grew up with the mindset of becoming an entertainment mogul in Nigeria. This led her to pursue a career in mass-communication, where she specialized in Public Relations and Media, before proceeding to United States of America to pursue a career in International Relations with Loyola University in Chicago Illinois.
Her move to the cold state of Minnesota also brought with it career changes that saw Leah on the medical side of life. By this time, she had already bagged an A.S degree in Nursing, and is on the verge of diving into Nursing informatics, with a focus to specialized as an I.T expert in Epic and Quality Assurance. Leah brings with her a vast experience, both in media, entertainment and the medical fields. She confidently wears many hats and is not afraid to function as a multi-dimensional individual, Leah was a one-time model in Nigeria who graced the editorials, billboards and runways of her day. She has been featured in several TV ads and has worked as a presenter at Murhi International Television in Lagos, Nigeria. Leah is the Public Relations Manager for Miss Nigeria International. She currently lives in Minnesota. Leah enjoys traveling, which gives her inspiration, she also loves writing and has written several articles and journals to her credit.
Honor Kabari Esaen (Fitness Coach) Honour Kabari Esaen a.k.a ‘NaijaFitGoddess’ is a professional fitness coach with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Honour has certifications in weightloss management, group training, strength and conditioning, life coaching, public speaking, and personal training, and also first aid. As a Nigerian-American Honor’s mission is to bring health awareness to those around her in the U.S. and abroad by introducing strength training to fitness regimens of the everyday person.
Honour believes that everybody in this world was created for a purpose and her purpose is to use the power of fitness to inspire, motivate, and transform lives. With her passion for helping people and her strong faith in God she has been able to do just that working as a partner and trainer at Your Better Body Image LLC in Atlanta, GA (USA). She has also had the opportunity of working with celebrities and celebrity trainers and traveling across the states and abroad to spread the word of the importance of health and wellness. To connect with Honour feel free to email her at Oluluhonour@gmail.com and follow her on Instagram
@NaijaFitGoddess.
Kenneth Ehi-Choya (Production/Technical Director)
Kenneth Ehi-Choya, is a musician and an entertainment consultant, artiste, events, production and technical manager.
For over 20 years, Mr. Ehi-Choya has actively participated in the country’s entertainment activities which includes the production of some Nigeria’s biggest international concerts and road shows, featuring e.g. Wyclef, Shaggy, Joe, Sean Paul, Boys-II-Men, Naughty By Nature, Kool & the Gang, Eve, KC & JoJo and many more, at the various high profile event venues across the country.
Mr. Ehi-Choya has worked with and has intimate knowledge of most Nigerian artistes and the peculiar challenges faced by events organizers in Nigeria. At different times, he has worked on projects involving top Nigerian artistes.
He worked on the production and concerts of the FIFA Nigeria ‘99 album project, as a co-writer and performer, CAF Nigeria-Ghana 2000 promo song, Coca-Cola FA Cup song, etc. A versatile singer, prolific songwriter and music producer himself.
He is the Principal Manager and Chief Operating Officer of Earth Angels, the Artiste/Events Consultancy/Management and Production agency. He also heads the music and Audio/Visual production Studios of Earth Angels. He has been and still working with reputable Nigerian companies, which includes currently, Copyright Society of Nigeria “COSON” as Technical/Event Management Consultant.
He has worked with the following Musicians. *Sunny Ade, *Sonny Okosuns, *Onyeka Onwenu, *Majek Fashek, *Fellyx ‘n’ Mozzyx, *Benita Okojie, *Zaaki Adzay, *Mike Okri, *Daniel Wilson, *Lt. Shotgun, *Orits Wiliki, *Cycely Omonhimin, *2Face Idibia, *Faze, *Black Face, *African China, *Styl Plus, *Eedris Abdukareem, *Dare Art Alade, *Tony Tetuila, *Sound Sultan, *Daddy Showkey, *Daddy Fresh, *Junior & Pretty, *Blackky, *Weird MC, *Ras-Kimono, *Sir Shina Peters, *Christy Essien, *Stella Monye, Waje, *Felix Leberty, *Wande Cole, *Timi Dakolo, *Dede Mabiaku, *Adu Deme, *VIP, *Nigga Raw, *Muma Gee, Omowunmi, *Edmund Spice, *Chris Mba, *Isaac Black, *Felix Duke, *Tunde & Wunmi Obey, *Ali Baba, *J. Martins, *X-project BasketMouth, Okey Bakassi, I Go Dye, Julius Agu, Tee A and more.
Edi Lawani (Chief Adviser; Production/Technical)
Edi Lawani needs no introduction. He is known for his event production artistry and he is recognized as the guru of the Nigerian entertainment industry, by its practitioners. Mr Edi is also influential international. His jurisdiction cuts across Event production/management, Event technical director/adviser, Talent developer, manager, promoter and record label owner, The number one Nigerian entertainment consultant and event producer. He is the Owner of the a Nigerian event management and production company, KUKURUKU; Kukuruku is the sole manager and producer of African Magic Viewer Movie Awards.
Barb Davies –White (President, Advisory Board)
