Cross River State representative, Miss Precious James emerged the overall winner of the face of Akwa Ibom Pageant 2022.
In a pageantry held on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at Bigstream Lounge Uyo, which had contestants from states in south south and Nigeria showcased their different talents in dance, dress parade, and answering questions to ascertain who best deserved to wear the crown for year.
The overall winner, Miss Cross River, Precious James showed elation while expressing herself as she emerged the winner. She noted that the experience was an educating one for her, affording her the opportunity to meet with many amazing people from different backgrounds.
She said: “ My experience was simply amazing, it was fun, educational and overwhelming. I got to meet with people from different backgrounds and ethnicities and I got to learn new things.
” I am so happy to emerge the winner. I know this brings a new experience for me and I will do my best to put in my experience to help the society through impactful projects.”
Speaking with newsmen after the event, Mr Silas Bassey, popularly known as “SLYZI B” , said he was equally happy that history is made in the 5th edition considering that someone outside Akwa Ibom State emerged winner of the pageant for the first time since inception while also calling on people to take modeling as professional not as a hobby.
“ I am so happy that the Face of Akwa Ibom Nigeria 2022 is a success, and this is the first time someone from another state, Cross River, is winning the pageant in the fifth edition and I must say that it feels great. All along, It has always been Akwa Ibomites taking the day.”
Mr Bassey hinted that he was bringing in one of the biggest pageantries to Uyo.
” I am equally trying to package up the biggest contest in the country to be held in Uyo, that is Miss Finest Queen Nigeria, the 19th edition which will come by June this year. It is a contest which is usually held in Abuja. It will be the first time such an event will take place in Akwa Ibom State.”
He also called for more sponsors to key into the pageantry business to help promote it in Akwa Ibom State, noting that it is one of the avenues to engage young minds to be useful to the society.
Speaking further, he hinted that the overall winner, Precious James, will go with N150,000 cash prize, endorsement deals from top modeling agencies and media publicity for one year.
The first runner up, Miss Joy Ugochi from Enugu state will go home with N100,000 and media publicity while the third runner up, Miss Promise Edet will get N80,000 and some media deals to promote her.
Also speaking, Miss Sofia Ekwere, one of the judges of the contest, described the event as a successful one and expressed satisfaction at the performances of the contestants, noting that she hopes to see more talents embrace the pageantry world from this part of the country to the international level.