18 Year Old Shatu Garko is Miss Nigeria 2021
18-year-old Shatu Garko has emerged winner of the 2021 Miss Nigeria beauty pageant.
Shatu Garko is a hijab model, loves horse riding, and is from Kano state in the North West region of Nigeria.
The new Miss Nigeria succeeded Etsanyi Tukura, a native of Taraba State, and 43rd winner of the 2019 Miss Nigeria contest.
Nicole Ikot emerged as the first runner up and Kasarachi Okoro was the second runner up in the contest.
“Winning this competition means a lot to me,” Garko said before being crowned Miss Nigeria.
“My whole life I have always wanted to be a Miss Nigeria. I’d like to thank Miss Nigeria and its sponsors. I would also like to thank my mum for supporting and loving me.”
Shatu was awarded the cash prize of N10 million, a luxury apartment, a car and ambassadorship.
Manager, Miss Nigeria Organisation, Chioma Nwigwe, noted that it was very challenging for the event to be organised especially in a pandemic.
“This has always been about empowerment. Miss Nigeria platform is beyond the beauty pageant,” Nwigwe said. “We are very committed to empowering women, girls and providing opportunities for women to grow”
“Miss Nigeria is a full-time job. It’s a 9-5 job. That is what a lot of people don’t know. It’s beyond the fun, the glamour and Miss Nigeria is always looking for someone who is committed to doing that.”
The organisers of Miss Nigeria had unveiled the 18 finalists to battle for the crown in the grand finale on December 7 at the KIA Showroom, Victoria Island.
But the eviction process began with over 1,000 ladies and was reduced to 120 who were later invited for a physical audition in Lagos then reduced to 37 including three wild cards. Contestants were further cut down to 21 and later down to 18.
Speaking at the event, the founder of Folio Media Group, the organiser of Miss Nigeria 2021, Fidelis Anosike, said the vision was to create national empowerment and a role model that would serve as an inspiration for the girl child.
Miss Nigeria’s Creative Director, former Miss Nigeria (2013), Ezinne Akudo also revealed that this year’s selection was quite demanding due to the sheer volume of entries.
Garko, a horse-riding lover, represented the North West region of Nigeria during the pageant.
She was crowned as the 44th queen of the competition during the coronation ceremony held in Lagos on Friday night.
Despite being the youngest contestant, Garko beat 17 others to become the first hijab-wearing model to wear the Miss Nigeria crown.
NP/Hauwa Abu
