A 200 level Medical Laboratory student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Miss Chidinma Okeke from Ogboji in Orumba North Local Government Area of the state was Friday night crowned the winner of the Miss Anambra 2015 pageant, organised by Anambra Broadcasting Service and the State Government.

The beauty queen was crowned out of the 21 contestants that took part in the pageant at the grande finale night held at Marble Arch Hotels, Awka.

The contestants were judged for their appearance in traditional attire, casual outfit and evening dresses before the selection of the top ten by the judges.

The attire session was preceded by a question and answer session which further brought down the elimination down to five contestants with Miss Njikoka, Orumba North, Ayamelum, Anaocha and Ihiala making the top five list.

Earlier in his speech, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra Broadcasting Service, Mr. Uche Nworah, expressed appreciation that the pageant, which has the objective to use the platform to empower women, while also celebrating the elegance, beauty and grace of the Anambra woman, finally became successful, adding that the pageant in its second season, ranks as one of the biggest state pageants in Nigeria.

He hailed the co-sponsors of the pageant for making the day fruitful and eventful as well as the state government among others.

Also, the creative direction of Miss Anambra Pageant and former Miss Nigeria 2003/2004, Miss Nwando Okwuosa expressed joy at the success of the event and advised the current Miss Anambra queen to make the best of the opportunity by being a good role model to people, especially the younger ones.

In her farewell speech, the erstwhile Miss Independence Anambra 2014 and the current Miss ECOWAS 2015, Miss Chizoba Ejike, stressed that the office of a beauty queen is not for women of easy virtues.

She urged the winner to use her office to reach out to the voiceless and less privileged.

Miss Anambra 2015, Chidinma Okeke who was overwhelmed with joy appreciated the ABS boss and other people that helped get her where she is, saying that the vision of introducing light into the lives of young women, through organising the pageant wouldn’t have been possible without the successes recorded by Governor Willie Obiano.

She promised to infuse her best to humanity, contribute immensely to the promotion of the organisers of the event, the ABS, and to propagate the rich cultural heritage of Anambra State and Nigeria.

The new queen pledged to be a good role model to other Nigerian girls and a good ambassador of the state, assuring of full commitment, diligence and hard work.

Highlights of the occasion included presentation of awards to Miss Awka North, as the most photogenic contestant, Best Dinner Gown to Anyamelum, Best Model to Anambra East, Miss Amity to Ihiala, Best Traditional Costume to Ekwusigo, Most Intelligent to Dunukofia and People’s Choice Award to Onitsha South Local Government Area.

Miss Anambra will represent Nigeria in Miss Intercontinental in Germany, come December.

The event attracted top government functionaries, including Commissioners, LGA Chairmen, Commissioner of Police, Mr Hassan Karma, a veteran Hollywood actor, Chief Pete Edochie, among others.

Comedy, music performances from notable artists such as Slow Dogg, Obiwon, Djinee, Twocantalk, Mc Parrot Mouth, dance performances by the girls, crowning of Miss Anambra 2015, among others formed the high points of the event.

The new queen was later presented with the Keys of a brand new KIA RIO car, by Dana Motors Ltd., a cheque of one million naira, wardrobe allowance, flight ticket for business class by Air Peace ltd to travel anywhere in Nigeria for one year, among others.

•Photo shows Miss Anambra 2015, Chidinma Okeke, after being crowned . . . Friday night in Awka.

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