owukpa: hDuring the contest, it was Benue-Plateau. It was a friend of mine that encouraged me to join the contest.
An Igbo lady called Chinyere. When they arranged the contest in Kano, she met me and said we should join the contest.
I told her I was not interested because, in my place, the moment you begin to showcase yourself, people will be saying negative things about you.
Above all, my father was hot-tempered, so I was scared, but she insisted. I told her what would happen if we didn’t win; she pointedly said if I didn’t win, she would win. So I reluctantly joined the Miss Kano beauty contest, and I won.
Those of us that put in for the competition in Lagos were from 19 states.
Did we have Benue-Plateau as one of the 19 states in our country in 1963
It’s not the government fault, it’s her fault, she refused to improve herself or work herself into government circle. Even the contest she won someone persuaded her, meaning she hardly push herself to achieve something.
While mama oyelude, the first Miss Nigeria took advantage of this great opportunity and went to England to study Nursing, this woman returned to the village...deep!
This brings to mind the book of Ecclesiastes 9:11.
And I returned and saw under the sun, that the race isn't to the swift, neither the battle to the strong, nor yet bread to the wise, neither riches to men of understanding, nor favour to men of skills...but TIME and CHANCE happeneth to them all. Only the wise would understand that great bible verse.
That's the freedom the modern world advertises and fight for women: to use their fruitful youth as objects of sexual pleasures. Immediately after they have been used up, they will be thrown away, you thinking that they were never been famous before.
The hard life of farming has really taken a toll on her hand; she's still a very beautiful woman after 60 years. Her state government should at least recognize her for putting the state on the national limelight of pageantry
Alache broke the jinx as the first woman from the then Benue-Plateau to win the highly coveted crown.
Against the backdrop of fame, Mama Alice’s life took an unexpected turn, leading her to the tranquil hamlet of Otukpo Icho in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Sixty years after her historic victory, she graciously shares her poignant story exclusively with Idoma Television.
We are aware that you were crowned Miss Nigeria in 1963. You are from this town (Otukpo). Today, our team from Idoma Voice thought it wise to come pay you a visit and have a chat with you. Could you please tell us more about yourself?
Thank you so much. I really appreciate your team for coming all the way to visit me. Thank you very much.
I was crowned Miss Kano before becoming Miss Nigeria in the same year – 1963.
After my victory in Kano, I was taken to Lagos for the Miss Nigeria contest. Then, it was Daily Times (Newspaper) that was sponsoring the beauty contest.
During the contest, it was Benue-Plateau. It was a friend of mine that encouraged me to join the contest.
An Igbo lady called Chinyere. When they arranged the contest in Kano, she met me and said we should join the contest.
I told her I was not interested because, in my place, the moment you begin to showcase yourself, people will be saying negative things about you.
Above all, my father was hot-tempered, so I was scared, but she insisted. I told her what would happen if we didn’t win; she pointedly said if I didn’t win, she would win. So I reluctantly joined the Miss Kano beauty contest, and I won.
Those of us that put in for the competition in Lagos were from 19 states. I am not the first Miss Nigeria; the first Miss Nigeria was Theresa Ogunbiyi from the southwest.
It was 7up Company that the competition took place, and I emerged victorious.
But unfortunately for my friend (Chinyere), she didn’t win.
So, after my victory, the Woman Editor of Daily Times, who was in charge, Theresa Ogunbiyi, took us to London. We were on a tour of London for about two weeks before we returned home.
After my trip to London, I returned to Kano to continue with my business until my mum died.
This place I am occupying is not my father’s house. My family house is somewhere down the hills.
After my mother died, as the most senior daughter, I came here to do the necessary rites. This is my mother’s house.
And I have been staying here ever since.
You said it was your friend that encouraged you to join the beauty contest; did you buy any registration forms then?
Not at all, during our time, it was not about money or education. All they wanted was charisma and beauty.
What inspired you to go into the contest?
It was because my friend encouraged that we should go that either of us must win. The contest then, how was it like? Like? What did you people do then?
Nothing special; after my emergence as Miss Kano, we were taken to Lagos and we were camped in a hotel – 19 of us from various states. It wasn’t all about money or connections.
It was based on merit. We spent about three weeks before the day of the competition.
Apart from the London trip, what were the other benefits? Various companies gave us many things. Items like a sewing machine, cartons of noodles, and several other things.
After winning the competition, did you put it for other contests like Miss World?
Not at all. I didn’t go anywhere after that. Why?
Because they take anybody to Miss World; even those that won before me didn’t go for Miss World.
You said it was after your mother’s death that you relocated to this village.
Yes, so that the house won’t be empty.
So, from 1963 after your victory till now, do you have any regrets?
Not really.
The only regret is that I had thought that after my victory, my state government would have remembered me, but they abandoned me. That is my only regret.
But I thank God that I am still alive. I am sure you were not even born when I won the crown.
So, you were born after that, and you have now known me. So, I have no regrets apart from the fact that my own state has forgotten me.
Do you have any advice for young ladies going into beauty contests?
Yes, I have things to tell them, but none of them come to me.
I think in Benue as a whole, it was Ene Lawani who became the second person from Benue to win Miss Nigeria.
But despite that, I still thank God for sparing my life and you people have remembered to come celebrate me. I am grateful.
Alache broke the jinx as the first woman from the then Benue-Plateau to win the highly coveted crown.
Against the backdrop of fame, Mama Alice’s life took an unexpected turn, leading her to the tranquil hamlet of Otukpo Icho in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Sixty years after her historic victory, she graciously shares her poignant story exclusively with Idoma Television.
We are aware that you were crowned Miss Nigeria in 1963. You are from this town (Otukpo). Today, our team from Idoma Voice thought it wise to come pay you a visit and have a chat with you. Could you please tell us more about yourself?
Thank you so much. I really appreciate your team for coming all the way to visit me. Thank you very much.
I was crowned Miss Kano before becoming Miss Nigeria in the same year – 1963.
After my victory in Kano, I was taken to Lagos for the Miss Nigeria contest. Then, it was Daily Times (Newspaper) that was sponsoring the beauty contest.
During the contest, it was Benue-Plateau. It was a friend of mine that encouraged me to join the contest.
An Igbo lady called Chinyere. When they arranged the contest in Kano, she met me and said we should join the contest.
I told her I was not interested because, in my place, the moment you begin to showcase yourself, people will be saying negative things about you.
Above all, my father was hot-tempered, so I was scared, but she insisted. I told her what would happen if we didn’t win; she pointedly said if I didn’t win, she would win. So I reluctantly joined the Miss Kano beauty contest, and I won.
Those of us that put in for the competition in Lagos were from 19 states. I am not the first Miss Nigeria; the first Miss Nigeria was Theresa Ogunbiyi from the southwest.
It was 7up Company that the competition took place, and I emerged victorious.
But unfortunately for my friend (Chinyere), she didn’t win.
So, after my victory, the Woman Editor of Daily Times, who was in charge, Theresa Ogunbiyi, took us to London. We were on a tour of London for about two weeks before we returned home.
After my trip to London, I returned to Kano to continue with my business until my mum died.
This place I am occupying is not my father’s house. My family house is somewhere down the hills.
After my mother died, as the most senior daughter, I came here to do the necessary rites. This is my mother’s house.
And I have been staying here ever since.
You said it was your friend that encouraged you to join the beauty contest; did you buy any registration forms then?
Not at all, during our time, it was not about money or education. All they wanted was charisma and beauty.
What inspired you to go into the contest?
It was because my friend encouraged that we should go that either of us must win. The contest then, how was it like? Like? What did you people do then?
Nothing special; after my emergence as Miss Kano, we were taken to Lagos and we were camped in a hotel – 19 of us from various states. It wasn’t all about money or connections.
It was based on merit. We spent about three weeks before the day of the competition.
Apart from the London trip, what were the other benefits? [/b]Various companies gave us many things. Items like a sewing machine, cartons of noodles, and several other things.
After winning the competition, did you put it for other contests like Miss World?
Not at all. I didn’t go anywhere after that. Why?
Because they take anybody to Miss World; even those that won before me didn’t go for Miss World.
[b]You said it was after your mother’s death that you relocated to this village.
Yes, so that the house won’t be empty.
So, from 1963 after your victory till now, do you have any regrets?
Not really.
The only regret is that I had thought that after my victory, my state government would have remembered me, but they abandoned me. That is my only regret.
But I thank God that I am still alive. I am sure you were not even born when I won the crown.
So, you were born after that, and you have now known me. So, I have no regrets apart from the fact that my own state has forgotten me.
Do you have any advice for young ladies going into beauty contests?
Yes, I have things to tell them, but none of them come to me.
I think in Benue as a whole, it was Ene Lawani who became the second person from Benue to win Miss Nigeria.
But despite that, I still thank God for sparing my life and you people have remembered to come celebrate me. I am grateful.
Life is cyclical in nature. We are all actors and spectators in the grand scheme of things.
This thing wey you write now, how e take relate to the topic? Abi you just can't resist the opportunity to talk down on girls.
For chrissakes she didn't even mention sex anywhere.
Did you the part of the post I quoted? If yes, explain how my comment is unrelated to the quoted part. If you didn't see it, go and look at my comment again.
Hmmm .... 60 years later .... they said she was a Beauty Queen .... and no one doubted. Post a photo of a recent Beauty Queen .... and many will be telling the poster he made a mistake and posted the wrong photo. We can still see it in her.
I am not the first Miss Nigeria; the first Miss Nigeria was Theresa Ogunbiyi from the southwest.
Yoruba people and First ,na 5&6 ! When we tell those jealous mofos that it didn't just start today, they always think we are exaggerating !
Benue State government should,as a matter of urgency,accords this beautiful grandma all the necessary recognitions she deserves. She shouldn't be living in the condition she currently lives; something must be done for her !
She didn't pursue far, she limited herself. It was her friend that even persuaded her for the contest in the first place. It's we ourselves that can only limit ourselves, if not the sky is the limit
immortalcrown: [sub][/sub] Girls should learn from this. Sex and beauty do not bring a lifetime honour. Once they fade, their benefits go.
Did you see where she spoke about having a husband and children? If she becomes too old to feed herself, who will come for her aid? Boys and girls, marriage is not a scam. You scam yourself by making a wrong choice in marriage.
You believe say every old person pikin dey come take care of them when they are old? That’s the most stupid comment I have ever read on Nairaland. Walahi!
immortalcrown: Did you the part of the post I quoted? If yes, explain how my comment is unrelated to the quoted part. If you didn't see it, go and look at my comment again.
Oga your stupid comment is completely unrelated to the post. You just want to satisfy your urge to talk down on women. Most of whom you can't even approach in real life.
Tranquility2345: You believe say every old person pikin dey come take care of them when they are old? That’s the most stupid comment I have ever read on Nairaland. Walahi!
Aren't there children who look after their aged parents? Answer or be the stupid one.
