Miss Global Nigeria’s Screening Holds As Queen Shines In Italy

Antai Victoria, the 2014 Miss Global Nigeria’s First Runner-Up lived up to the billings as she walked tall amidst other beauty Queens across the globe at the just concluded Miss Progress International pageant that held in Brindisi, Italy.

Victoria emerged victoriously to write her name as the second position title holder in the National Costume category and also same designate in the overall project and she’s also one of the 5-woman standing at the keenly contested international beauty contest that had 22 countries on stage.

The international beauty pageant which held at the Hotel Messapia, located in the ancient city of Puglia, Italy between the 9^th and18^th May 2014 had 22 leggy queens from all over the world who struggled for the coveted 10,000 euro prize amongst other mouth-watering consolation prizes.

Miss Bolivia beats other drop dead contestants from countries like USA, Canada, Australia, Porto Rico, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, South Africa, Haiti, Nigeria, Macedonia, Philippines, Greece, Estonia, Sweden, Belgium, Belarus, Albania to be crowned the Miss Progress International 2014 after eight days of rigorous grooming and camping.

The memorable experience kicked off with a press briefing where the delegates had the privilege to sit with the Mayor of the city, the President of the Miss Progress International, Giusy Nobile, pageant director Giuseppe Borillo as well as press men from all over the city of Puglia and beyond.

The beauty ambassadors were grouped to discuss on pet projects bordering on Health, Human Rights & Environment, using their countries as case studies. The herculean task which took 50% of the pageant’s mark charged them to proffer solutions to the ongoing problems in their countries as regards the assigned topic. Nigeria’s Victoria Antai who delivered a paper on Environment narrowly lost the 10,000 euro prize to Miss Bolivia who eventually won the crown after what looked like a heroic presentation before a selected panel of jury.

Before the grand finale, the girls had a tour of neighbouring towns of Puglia, day after day. They visited each town where they were welcomed by Mayors of Santa Maria di Leuca to Taranto where they saw the reforms of the Aragonese Castle, Ostuni (city of white houses), Lecce with its gorgeous baroque structures, Gallipolli famous for their oil production & finally what the girls saw as favourite, Alberobello whose Trulli (houses) marked the symbol of their growth.

The ambassadors of progress were also treated to a beauty session with hair & make up by REDKEN, one of Italy’s most sought after, PABLO art director of Gil Cagne. They also got giveaways from these wonderful brand sponsors.

The grand finale of the show which held on the 18^th of May, 2014 kicked off at 10pm Italian time & was aired live courtesy of JO international TV.

The audience were thrilled to a native Italian dance Picasa performed by the contestants after which they dazzled in their national costumes, white dresses & their lovely evening gowns.

Three nominees were thereafter called out for the Best National Costume where our very own Victoria Antai clinched the 2^nd best among Miss Bolivia (Arantza Barba) & Puerto Rico (Kristina Velez Toledo).

A prize was awarded to Miss Sweden; the contestant with the highest internet vote. The moment of truth finally came when Miss Progress International 2014 had to be crowned & 3 winners were called forward from each of their categories (Environment, Health, Human Rights). Victoria shone like a million stars again as she placed 2^nd in her category, Environment, but like they say there can only be one winner.

Meanwhile the activities heralding the 5^th edition of the Miss Global Nigeria 2014 pageant has reached a crescendo with the organizers rolling out plans for the zonal screenings. Interested candidates are advised to get their forms by paying the sum of N5,000 in any Zenith bank across the nation in favour of Miss Global Nigeria Limited, account number: 1012298052 and register their details on the website: www.missglobalnigeria.com.

The Miss Global team moves to Rumuekini Town Hall, opposite Rumuosi junction, EastWest road, Port-Harcourt on Saturday June 28^th, 2014 for its first screening to be conducted by JusttHairs’ boss, Alaba Maxwell while in Abuja, it holds on Saturday, July 5^th, 2014 at Centre Point Mall, 32 Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, by Enterprise Bank, Wuse 2. In Lagos, the screening is for Tuesday, July 8^th, 2014 at the upscale Ember Creek on 32 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi at 10am prompt and the coronation ball and grand finale for the fifth edition takes place on Sunday, July 20^th at the prestigious Havillah events centre, by Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos.    For more information contact, 08023125581, 08075481965, 08063592322, 08037454353.