Pageant
By Collins Yakubu-Hammer/Joy Obanya
Abuja, Aug.29, 2018 (NAN) Miss Nasneen Sheikh of India has emerged winner of the maiden edition of Miss Polo International Beauty pageant held in Abuja on Tuesday night.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sheikh was crowned after beating 16 other contestants from different countries in five continents in the keenly contested event organised by Mrs Ibife Alufohai.
The crown was made of 24 carat gold and silver with a logo to represent the game of Polo.
While Miss Polo Cameroon emerged first runner up, Miss Polo Japan, a 26 year-old student took the second runner up position.
The 17 contestants were from Algeria, Austria, Brazil, Bukina Faso, Cameroon, Czech Republic, Finland, Ghana and Denmark.
The rest were from India, Japan, Kenya, Nigeria, Spain, Russia, Tanzania, Venezuala.
The elimination process started with the dropping of seven contestants to 10, 10 to five and eventually the three finalists.
Mr Valentine Ojigbo, one of the judges and Managing Director of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja said the contestants were rated base on talent, project, appearance and catwalk.
Similarly, some of the contestants won the Polo Continental Crown.
The continental winners included Miss Polo Russia, who won the Miss Europe Crown 2018, Miss Polo Kenya won for Africa, Miss Polo Brazil for the Americas and Miss Polo Japan won that of the Asian continent.
Some organisations were also given awards for their contributions to the development of humanity and service.
While the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) was awarded Stallion Star award for Innovation and outstanding performance, Transcop Hilton was also awarded the Stallion Award for Exceptional Hospitality Service.
Similarly, Access Bank was awarded `Polo Innovation and Contribution to the financial world Award’
House of Tara was awarded Innovation and outstanding Beauty Service Award.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ms Grace Gekpe.
MC Galaxy trilled the crowd with his scintillating and electrifying performance.
NAN recalled that the contestants for the Miss Polo International Beauty Pageant had given their views and experiences about Nigeria when they paid a courtesy visit to the information minister.
They had said that “Nigeria is safe and the people hospitable contrary to the negative news they hear in international media”.
They said they were almost discouraged from coming to Nigeria to participate in the contest, but their experiences since they arrived were different from what they heard and read.
Miss India, the winner of the contest had said that her family members and friends dissuaded her from coming to Nigeria because of the purported security situation.
“When I talked about Miss Polo International with my family and friends, they told me, have you ever checked youtube or go through social media about the stories on Nigeria?
“I said, why? Are you trying to deny me to go and represent India in Nigeria? They said the country is not having good report.
“For me, what my father had taught me is really working very well. He taught me that if you want to see the change, be the change.
“I am here to be the change for everyone out there, to make a change for everyone out there, to correct the mentality of the entire world about Nigeria.
“From my experience since I came, Nigeria is like a second home,’’ she said.
The pageant said she saw Nigeria as her second home based on her encounter and experiences with people since she came into the country.
“Right from the persons that received me at the airport and the persons that have been dropping me in the hotel, each and every one of them treated me so well and with care.
“I want to thank you so well, all of you, for your welcome and hospitality. Believe me I have changed my mentality and I will surely change that of my families and friends about Nigeria.
The pageant said she would love to visit Nigeria “more and more time again”. (NAN)
CMY/JOYO/EEE
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Edited by Ese E. Ekama