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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012
Life
Amidst thrills and frills, Udonquak Emem emerges Calabar Carnival queen This year’s Calabar Carvival came with all its thrills and frills, and has been generally adjudged the best since its inception five years ago. Forming part of the event was the carnival beauty pageant to enthrone the 2011/2012 carnival queen at the prestigious Tinapa Business Resort, Calabar, Cross River State. SEYI ODEWALE reports
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•First lady, Cross River State, Mrs. Obioma Imoke with the new queen, Emem.
HE Tinapa Business Resort Hall, Calabar, Cross River State, penultimate Tuesday, was filled to capacity with dignitaries from all walks of life who witnessed this year’s Carnival pageant. The event, which started at 11pm, ran into the wee hours of the second day. The enthralling hall, embellished with the blue and white colours of FirstBank Plc, the event sponsor since inception, also had the bank’s logo conspicuously displayed as back drop banner, began to witness inflow of guests as early as 9pm for the event that took off at 11pm. Leading the pack was the state governor and host of the carnival, Governor Liyel Imoke who was accompanied by his delectable wife, Obioma. There were other dignitaries like Senator Florence Ita Giwa; the Publisher of Genevive magazine, Mrs. Betty Irabor; Managing Partner, Banwo & Ighodalo and Co, Asue Ighodalo and Uti Nwachukwu of the Big Brother Africa fame among others. With ‘Last Prophet’, a stand up comedian, anchoring the show, the event began with a dance performance and was followed by the contestants, 30 in all, filing out to showcase to the audience in their first appearance what made them eligible for the coveted crown. The Master of Ceremonies (MC) also seized the opportunity to introduce former Queens the pageant has produced since its inception five years ago. Profiling of the contestants and a musical interlude followed in quick successions. The search for the contestants who were eventually pruned to 30 according to the organizers was not an easy task. According to them, the governor’s wife’s pet project: Mothers Against Child Abandonment (MACA), a non governmental organization (NGO), facilitated the event by spearheading the search. With the NGO raising a team versed in beauty pageant matters and a special commission from Mrs Imoke, it was clear that the organizers were determined to spread their dragnets beyond the state. The team which included the media consultant to Cross River State government, Enuma Chigbo; the official
presenter to the carnival, Maurice Inok and the Special Adviser to Governor’s wife on Events, Valerie Cruzat diligently searched the state capital, Lagos and Abuja to get the 30 that made the list at the pageant. They included: Omego Nnenna O; Udonquak Emem Mbuofidem; Jessica Bekele; Ekon Georgeleen George; Ibaghi Happiness Onu; Nwosu Chiwendu Gracious; Uwanakwe Odera Lucky; Efiom Agatha-Christy; Queen O’nara Bassey and Onwalu Uchenna Sherry. There were others like Alero Christabel Odeta; Ekaji Felicia Michael; Precious Nnanke Obeten; Goddy Amaka Crystabel; Nwanakwere Nneoma J; Okafor Oluchi Chiamaka; Nwaneri Adaeze; Hope Okodugha; Amaka Akanniku and Egirim Tessy. There were also the likes of Enyamremu Oghenrukerwe; Onyekachi Agaecheta; Buka Muna Mercedes; Nwachinemere Loveth C; Celina Onwubiko; Unoma Nnabelle; Effa Gift Aboli; Anyanwu Tochukwu Agnes; Tonia Oria-Arebun and Victoria Ana Lawrence, to complete the 30 short listed. Their dresses were designed by Vlisco-makers of high and real Dutch wears. There were also dresses made from African prints that brought out the beauty in African culture. The five-man panel judges, which included the first winner of the crown in 2007 when the pageant made its debut and a law student at the University of Essex, Chineye Uwanaka; the Editor-inChief, Genevieve Magazine, Mrs Betty Irabor; music icon and reality television presenter, Darey ArtAlade; lawyer turned artist, Kelechi Amadi-Obi and the Corporate Security Service Manager, LNG, Charles Okon did a yeoman’s job selecting the best at the event. In her remarks, Mrs Imoke, thanked God, corporate bodies and individuals, especially MACA ambassadors-the carnival Queens since 2007 to date, for contributing to the success of the event. “I most certainly give glory to the Almighty God for seeing us through these years and opening the doors to boundless grace. A very special thank you to the many sponsors and supporters who have joined us in saving lives,” she said. At the end of the event that ran throughout the night, Miss Udonquak Emem Mbuofidem emerged winner and was crowned the 2011 Calabar Carnival Queen. There were other side attractions like presentation of prizes to winners of Golf tournament that held during the festival, talent top 10 and comedy.