14-03-2023
By Andrea Ayemoba | Channel:
news
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[Interview] Ganiyat Alli: Founder, Nigerian Diaspora Male & Female Pageant, UK
Ganiyat Alli is a woman on a mission to unite the Nigerian Diaspora in the UK. The 27 year old entrepreneur has the ambition and drive to make a difference in the Nigerian Diaspora community through the Mr & Miss Nigeria UK pageant. After years of experience within the African events scene, she decided to launch the first joint male and female cultural pageant specifically for the Nigerian community as a way to unite the diaspora.
Whilst attending a beauty pageant in London towards the end of 2013 she was asked why there was not a Miss Nigeria UK pageant. Ganiyat had an “A Ha moment” and began researching the beauty pageant events sector in the UK and discovered that there had not been one for the Nigerian diaspora community since 2009. With her interest now piqued she decided to add the male element to the show and Mr & Miss Nigeria was born.
She answers here a few questions with Africa Business Communities:
What inspired this creation of yours in the UK?
As I was born and bread in the UK I felt like I had a disconnect with my roots and wanted a way to intergrate what I love to do with my origins. I feel like there are so many people who do not know the rich, positive side of Nigeria and it is time we were celebrated.
How was it received by the Nigerians in Diaspora?
The event is gradually getting the right recognition, people are now seeing the meaning behind the event and understanding that it is more than just a pageant. As the show continues the grow, more and more people will see how great their country is and if they are never able to gain the opportunity to go back at least they have something that will allow them to velebrate where they come from.
Who can be part of this pageant?
To be a contestant you will need to be at least half Nigerian, but aside from that there are no limitations as to who is involved. We have a very diverse team with our members from all across Africa and the Caribbean. The show is based around Nigeria but the process of putting it together can be done by absolutely anyone, we are determined to build a strong team of young people who will go on to run their own projects and events.
When does the next event take place, and will there be subsequent events?
The plan is for this to be an annual event, and we're currently in our third year row. 25th September is the confirmed date for this year's pageant. To know more about the event, feel free to visit the website
here!
