Hair stylist, Abubakar Usman, awards Mr Nigeria International 2023
Usman, a hair stylist, beat 11 other finalists after three rounds of displays in cultural, official, and beach outfits.
Mr. Cross River, Abubakar Usman, has emerged the winner of Mr. Nigeria International 2023.
Usman, a hair stylist, beat 11 other finalists after three rounds of displays in cultural, official, and beach outfits.
The event was held on Sunday night in Lekki, Lagos State.
Supreme reports that Usman, an indigene of Kogi but born in Cross River, is also a make-up artist.
He was crowned by the outgoing Mr. Nigeria, Ajewole Odunayo.
Mr. Akwa Ibom, John Goodnews, a graduate of mass communication, emerged second and has become Mr. Nigeria Global.
The position of Mr. Nigeria International, Tourism, was secured by Mr. Abia Collins Okere, a student and interior designer.
Usman, 25, who became emotional as soon as he was announced as the winner,expressed joy at his feat.
“I feel so blessed, so happy, and elevated.
“I know that I have a lot to do to meet up with my new position as Mr. Nigeria International.
“I am going to look towards encouraging our youth, the less privileged, and the empowerment of the unemployed,” he said.
According to the organizer, Brendance and Crusader Ltd., the contest is touching lives, promoting peace, and encouraging tourism in Africa.
”The 2023 maiden single, Mr. Nigeria International, is fashioned to promote culture, tourism, and intelligence."
“We decided to separate the two contests, which had existed for 11 years, to give them more concentration and attention."
“We resolved to go cultural in order to boost and promote the nation’s culture among the youth,” the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Brenden Nsikak, said.
Nsikak said that more than 320 young men applied for the 11th edition of the contest, with the theme “The Evolution."
He said that 30 applicants qualified for the contest, and 12 emerged as finalists through public voting.
He said that Usman would go home with N1.5 million, while the first and second runners-up would represent Nigeria internationally and would have consolation prizes.
Nsikak said that pageantry had a tradition of selecting the most credible and valuable contestants.
Supreme reports that some of the judges at the contest are Ada Karl, a movie producer and actress; Adesola Oshosanya, an educationist; Nkiru Umeh, an actress; and Zak Francis is a movie director.
The pageant had been a mixed one—the Mr. and Miss Nigeria pageant.
This 11th edition is the maiden singles contest.