2nd December, 2011
Twenty three-year old Miss Maya Nwokeji from Imo State, Nigeria, has won the coveted crown as Miss Integration Africa 2011, beating other contestants from different countries in Africa including Ghana, Benin Republic, Mali, Gabon, Cameroon, Cote D’ivoire, Togo, South Africa and Sierra Leone, in the just concluded second edition of the competition at the Sica Ground in Cotonou, Benin Republic.The venue also affords tourist the opportunity to enjoy Africa art exhibitions.
An undergraduate of Houdagbe North America University, Benin Republic, Maya, the second Nigerian to be crowned as the Miss Integration, is gracefully tall and radiantly beautiful, eloquent at responding to questions. She went home with different prices which included $240,000, monthly wardrobe supply from a reknowned designer and opportunity to visit any African country and lodge in any five-star hotel.
Miss Ogunyale Tinuola Rose, Nigeria (1st runner-up) and Miss Maimuna, Mali (2nd runner-up), cashed home $100,000 and $70,000 respectively with other gift items.
The new queen has the mandate of fighting and sensitising Africans on how to combat spread of malaria, using culture as a tool to achieve the aims and objectives set by the organisers of Miss Integration Africa.
Maya will be working closely with international agencies, corporate organisations and governments across Africa, through the Ministry of Health, to deliver on her assignment.
Miss Integration Africa is a brain-child of Mr. Bonny Botoku, CEO Multiple Vision, which kicked off in 2010 in Idiroko, Ogun State, Nigeria.
The idea, which was motivated by the need for Africans to relate irrespective of language and belief, underscoring cultural similarity across Africa, with knowledge that African heritage is unique in values and beauty.
Botoku, who doubles as M.D. (Franchophone) Z-Mirage Multimedia, in his address, said that the pan-African pageant is not just targeted at parading African beauty but to facilitate inter-cultural and ethnic rapport among Africans. He also believes in the possibility of Africans without border or boundary, however, it was the success of the maiden edition that inspired the donation of six plots of land in Idiroko, Ogun State, for the take off of African Integration of Culture Village, by the Oba John Olakunle Ojo, the Onikan of Ikanland, Idiroko, Ogun State.
The event was an opportunity for stakeholders in the media, culture and entertainment industry to mingle, notable among who are Teju Kareem, Chairman, Z-Mirage; Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Moses of Goge Africa fame; Mr. Ali Aziz, LaFace; movie star, Omar Oumson, who doubles as the MC, Tunde Joseph and performing artistes from within and other African countries. The event was transmitted live on C.F.I and local television in Benin.
—Kayode Aponmade