Powede Lawerence 18-year old emerges Miss University
POWEDE Lawerence, a 200-Level student of Nursing and Miss Niger Delta University (NDU), has beaten 49 other university queens to emerge the 2009 Miss University/United Nations Nigeria (MUN) in a colourful parade of beauty and brains.
Organised by Visions Innovations and Concepts Ltd in partnership with the Bayelsa State government; the third in the series held at the Glory Land Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.
Chisom Egwuatu, Miss Anambra State University (ANSU), emerged first runner up, while Adama Onyanta, a 300-Level Biochemistry student and Miss University of Jos (Miss UNIJOS), picked the second runner up position.
Highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of Mrs. Sylva as the Grand Patron of Miss University/United Nation Nigeria Foundation. The African Coordinator of the United Nations pageant, Ms. Syndee Keitte, conferred the award on her.
The Bayelsa first lady urged all the contestants to help spread the message of her cancer awareness project aimed at saving the lives of women.
Shortly after being crowned by the outgoing queen, Miss Aminat Jenny Ayuba of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, the new MUN 2009 burst into tears of joy.
Among the panel of judges that decided the winner were the publisher, Ovation International, Chief Dele Momodu; Executive Vice-President of Conoil Nigeria, Oma Eyewuoma, an engineer; Executive Vice-President MUN Organisation, Miss Tolulope Ademulegun; Miss USA 2007, Mrs. Stephanie Hunt; Mrs. Ginika Tor; Mrs. Mary Manzo; Executive Assistant to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Ms. Julie Donli; Barr. Megan Bozimo; and Mr. John Agha.
The queen will represent Nigeria next year at the Miss United Nations International pageant in the United States and the Miss University Africa pageant in South Africa.
