Meet Hon. Ejiro Okpihwo :The Father Of Pageantry In Abuja.
Hon. Ejiro Okpihwo has been involved in the Nigerian pageantry industry for over 21 years and has produced over 20 queens. He founded and runs the Abuja’s Most Beautiful Girl pageantry (MBGA). He is a graduate of the University of Abuja and a Delta State native from Okpe Local Government. He has been named the “Father of Pageantry” due to his many years of experience in the profession.
What Motivated You To Go Into Pageantry?
It was the huge success of my first beauty pageant show called Most Beautiful Girl of the year, held in Abuja that motivated me. It was not even called the Most Beautiful Girl in Abuja. It was the success that lead me to create MBGA. With the help of my lawyer Barr. Emma Ukera, I had it registered and I have been running the MBGA for the past 21 years consistently as well.
Have You Graduated From The University When You Held Your First Beauty Contest?
Yes, I have. Because I remember I was hosting Jeans carnival events, Campus Night and some other events for students in the University. Along the line in 2001, I hosted my first beauty pageant show Most Beautiful Girl of The Year which I mentioned earlier. In that beauty pageant, we had only 8 contestants as parents do not at that time allow their daughters to participate in Beauty contests. So, we were visiting people’s homes telling parents to allow their daughters to participate in our beauty pageant show. We hosted our beauty pageant show in June 2001 and in November –December 2001, Agbani Darego was crowned Miss World. But after Agbani Darego made Nigeria Proud in London, in becoming Miss World, parents became more relaxed. So from the second edition, we had more girls participating.
Where Did You Hold Your First Beauty Contest?
It was held in Bwari, close to law school Abuja.
When You Started, Can You Remember The Trendy Beauty Pageants Available Then? Are They Still Existing?
Well, MBGN has been there. though the on and off Daily times Miss Nigeria also was also running, but Abuja-based pageantry like Miss Abuja and Face of Abuja, all have stopped. As for me, empowering the ladies and taking them off the street has been my driving spirit. Today am proud of my Queens as of My Queens many are married with kids, some leaving abroad, London, USA, a lot are graduate and working in great places.
What Has MBGN Been Doing Well That You Would Have To Love To See In MBGA?
What I admire so much about MBGN is the “Live Broadcasting service” they offer. I have always wished I had that “Live Broadcasting service” also going on for MBGA. Some time back I have approached AIT for “Outdoor Broadcasting Van” so that my event can show live on TV from my venue, but the cost, then was 12,000,000 Naira (30,000 USD) is so high. We can’t afford it at that time and this is one of the key reasons why one should have a lot of big sponsors. This is one thing that MBGN has succeeded in having bcos they own a TV Station too. But when it comes to event planning/management, packaging and proper partying organizations we have done much better.
How The Winner Of The Beauty Pageant Contest Selected Is, Is It Based On The Physical Looks Of The Girls?
Well, looking good is very important in this business. The process of picking the winner starts with the camping of the contestants. Camping could last for 7, 10, or 14 days depending on what is available at the time. Our priority is to pick a Queen that is Beautiful, Intelligent and Elegant. The essence of camping is to study the contestants and grade them accordingly using different types of quizzes and intellectual tests. It is important to understand that on the night of the show, crowd response is noted but that is not enough to make a winner. We don’t want a Queen that will embarrass us on national TV which may eventually kill our brand. So, we are very particular and careful when making a queen. Sometimes, the contestant that is most liked by people, may not be crowned. In as much as she answered all questions and looks very beautiful in her beautiful dress. Then people start rumors, the organizers have collected bribes or have slept with the choice contestant. The truth is, for the event to keep being successful for the past 21 years and still counting, we have been selecting the right QUEENS. If not, by now, the brand should have been rubbished. Remember also, that our Queens go for several interviews, visiting dignitaries, superstars and also make public speeches. So, we must crown a Queen that is sound upstairs.
What Opportunities Does Pageantry Expose Women To?
There are several opportunities ranging from advertisements, endorsements, movies, fashion modeling, entrainment of various kinds. In 2007, My QUEENS were part of the Fayrous sparkling soft drink advert, which was shot in Egypt and they were all paid one million Naira each at that year. The opportunities are big, some of my queens did their youth service in big Government offices like, but not limited to NNPC, Ministry of Interior, FIRS, NAFDAC. MBGA, This was just the platform that could open doors for them at that moment to get the job. Some of my Queens have worked in NAFDAC for the past 15years, some are big-time players in the fashion world and entertainment industry. Am proud of them and good thing is that, it is still putting money on their table.
What Are The Challenges Faced In The Industry?
In my own opinion, the major challenge we face in this industry is Sponsorship. To get sponsors is very hard. Most big companies in Nigeria are having their head offices in Lagos. In fact, there was a time when most of the big companies do not have offices in Abuja. Even when they started having offices in Abuja, they will tell you that all proposals should be addressed to the head office, Lagos. I remember traveling to Lagos and spending 6 months in other to get sponsors, I wrote to coke caca cola, Peak milk, Nigerian Breweries and so on. I have this saying; “In Nigeria, no man wants to join your train when your train is moving slowly. But the moment your train gathers momentum, everyone will be eager to hop in”. So you can only get sponsors and associates when your brand is successful that’s what is working for us today. The most challenging thing in this industry is getting sponsorship no one believes in you until you work yourself tirelessly.
We Have Not Started Seeing Your Queens In Nigerian Movies, What Is Holding up That?
A lot of my queens are now in the movie industry, for example, my queen in 2011, Stella Charles and Yetunde Barnabas- MBGA 2017 are big names in the movie industry today. Some of my Queens are video vixens and one of my Queens was part of one of Akons videos.
Neighborhood Magazine Will Like To Publish The Pictures And Names Of All Your Queens From 1st To The Latest, What Do You Think?
Yes, you can have them with no problem. We will give u all their names till date and for the pictures, we will give the ones we have because we have lost some pictures due to hard drive crash.
success
3 years agoWow this is wonderful I pray for more strength and wisdom mr Ejiro 😊