Ubani is Face of Niger Delta

Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State, stood still when some beautiful and delectable damsels from the nine states of the Niger Delta strutted the runway at Sheer Grace Arena, Uyo.

The event was the grand finale of the Face of Niger Delta Cultural Pageant Season III.

Mr. Elisha Attai, Jennifer Eliogu, Joseph Benjamin and Yinka Nathan were saddled with the herculean task of selecting the best and the brightest of them, who would be most befitting of the crown.

Obed David and the Nollywood hopeful, Sedater, led guests and attendees through the programme for the event as comperes.

The girls, who were in camp for about two weeks, had undergone rigorous drills, such as cooking contests, leadership mentoring, talent contests, physical and mental fitness tests, among several others.

Cultural troupes from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers states, the nine states of the oil rich Niger Delta region, took turns to thrill guests with their various brilliant and entertaining performances.

Some indigenous music and comedy acts like Icekyd, Unik Brothers, David Daniels, Sexy Johnny, Fadabasi, Sir James and General Odey gave good accounts of themselves, proving that the region was endowed with talented youths.

After the introductory outing of the contestants, singer Jodie of the Kuchi Kuchi fame, who hails from the Niger Delta, took to the stage. She held the audience spellbound for about 30 minutes with her eclectic performance.

The second outing was more tasking for the contestants, who were adorned in several royal traditional attires depicting women in authority from their respective states. They were made to explain, amidst cheers from the audience, the concept of their dressings and what each ornament signified.

Their third and final outing featured flowing elegant evening dresses fashioned out from popular Niger Delta fabrics, and this time, the mental and intellectual skills and abilities of the contestants were put to test by the judges through various brain teasing questions and a special presentation on the topic Towards the Niger Delta of our Dream.

While the tension heightened and the girls waited backstage for the announcement of the winner of the contest, petite, but dynamic Chidima Ekile took the audience through another electrifying musical performance. She undoubtedly did a great job at dousing the tensed atmosphere.

Victoria Ubani, a 300-level student of Communication Arts at the University of Port Harcourt emerged the Face of Niger Delta 2014. She is from Abia State. Ms Ekemini Umoren of Akwa Ibom State and Sharon Ozuru of Rivers State were first and second runners-up.

The winner was decorated by the Senior Manager of Youth, Culture, Sports and Women Affairs, NDDC Akwa Ibom, Mrs. Imabong while the key to a new Kia Rio 2014 car was presented to Ubani by the Special Assistant to the Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Akwa Ibom on Youth and Culture, Mr. George Turner.

Ms. Ubani smiled home with N1 million cash prize and an undisclosed monthly salary package for the duration of her reign with a leadership training trip to Sun City, South Africa.

Turner, who represented his boss, Dan Abia, reiterated the commission’s commitment to supporting youth-oriented projects. He congratulated the Kelly Godwin Attah led Gold House Production team for organising a world-class event with the capacity to unite the people and foster peaceful coexistence among them, while also showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage.

The overjoyed beauty queen, who was overwhelmed and speechless, thanked the organisers amidst tears.