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Grace Oyelude: The story of Nigeria’s first beauty queen

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April 8th marks International Pageant Day, a day to celebrate the beauty, talent, and resilience of women in pageantry while inspiring young girls to discover the life-changing opportunities pageants can provide.

The first beauty pageant in the world was the Eglinton Tournament of 1839, held in Scotland with Georgiana Seymour, Duchess of Somerset, being crowned “Queen of Beauty“. In Nigeria, the first beauty pageant was in 1957, and it was a photo contest!

ALSO READ: Top 3 most popular beauty pageants in the world

The 1st Beauty Pageant In Nigeria

The Miss Nigeria pageant began modestly in 1957 as a photo competition organized by the Daily Times, a national newspaper published by the Nigerian Printing and Publishing Company. Aspiring contestants were asked to submit their photographs to the paper’s Lagos office for consideration.

Grace Atinuke Oyelude who eventually became the 1st beauty queen to emerge from the competition said her brother encouraged her to participate in the contest.

I was living in Kano then. My brother saw the Turo247newz.com in the newspapers and advised me to go to Lagos for an interview to be selected as a Miss Nigeria contestant. He applied, and the result was that I was supposed to be in Lagos for the Miss Nigeria contest. I was working in the UAC then, and they also were also involved in the pageant. The following day, they got me on a plane to Lagos and that was it.

What Happened Next?

Oyelude, born in Kano in 1937 to James Adeleye Olude and Marthan Dantu entered for the Miss Nigeria photo contest and was selected and crowned Nigeria’s first beauty queen. Her victory marked the start of what would grow into one of Nigeria’s most beloved cultural traditions.

As the first Miss Nigeria, Oyelude received a £200 cash prize, a significant amount at the time and made a life-changing decision: she used part of her winnings to travel to England and study nursing.

ALSO READ: 5 iconic Nigerian beauty queens: See what they’re up to now

Her Life And Achievements

Grace Oyelude moved to the United Kingdom, where she began her nursing education in Kent and qualified as a registered nurse in 1961. A year later, in 1962, she earned her midwifery certification after training at the prestigious St. Thomas’ Hospital in London.

She acquired more degrees, broadening her expertise in healthcare management. She worked at Paddington General Hospital, affiliated with St Mary’s Hospital in London, before returning to Nigeria where she served at Kaduna General Hospital between 1964 and 1965 and also held the position of Senior Nursing Sister-in-Charge at the Kaduna Nursing Home (now Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital).


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During the Nigerian Civil War in 1967, she led a medical team from the Northern Region, helping hospitals prepare for and manage wartime casualties. She rose to the position of Director of Nursing Services at the Institute of Health at Ahmadu Bello University in the early 1970s.

She served in this capacity until her voluntary retirement in 1985. Beyond her hospital work, Oyelude contributed significantly to national health systems. She was an external examiner for the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and chaired the Kwara State Health Management Board from 1980 to 1983.

On her 93rd birthday in 2023, she was celebrated by the Miss Nigeria Organisation:

We are immensely delighted to celebrate the evergreen beauty and brave leader, Chief Grace Atinuke Oyelude, on her 93rd birthday. Her courage, resolve, and great strength of character are excellent qualities that have endeared her to us and many others. Happy birthday, once again, to the first Miss Nigeria, Chief Grace Atinuke Oyelude. Thank you for paving the way and setting the standards that all Miss Nigeria Queens walkthrough, as well as your priceless contributions towards women’s empowerment.

The Miss Nigeria pageant has since evolved from its humble beginnings into an annual event that celebrates the intellect, poise, and values of Nigerian women. Winners are often awarded university scholarships and become ambassadors for social change, community development, and cultural preservation.

Other notable winners in the early days are:

  • Helen Anyamaeluna who won in 1958.

  • Nene Etule, a former seamstress, made history as the only non-Nigerian to win the title in 1959.

Today, Grace Oyelude is remembered not just as Nigeria’s first beauty queen, but as a woman who redefined what it means to wear a crown. Her life’s journey continues to inspire countless women to pursue their dreams with courage and dignity.

ALSO READ: Here’s everything you need to know about Beauty Queen, Chidimma Adetshina


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Lifestyle

Zikoko Launches HER – A Docuseries Spotlighting the Power and Grit of Nigerian Women

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Culture publication Zikoko, a flagship brand of Big Cabal Media, is proud to announce the launch of HER, a powerful new docuseries spotlighting the lives and stories of Nigerian women who are owning their economic power across different socio-economic strata. 

From tech to beauty to entrepreneurship, HER captures the resilience, drive, and intentionality of Nigerian women who are shaping culture and building legacies — often behind the scenes. 

Produced and directed by Aisha Nana Salaudeen, a multi-award-winning journalist and storyteller best known for her work on CNN African Voices, HER blends immersive storytelling with raw, honest conversations that reflect the complexity of womanhood in Nigeria. 

By virtue of being a woman, these women have experiences I can empathise with, said Salaudeen, speaking about the project. 

Access to economic power is literally the story of my life. Even when personal experiences don’t align exactly, being a woman makes it easy to understand the nuances in these stories. I wanted to highlight women who may not be forward-facing but are doing powerful, transformational work.

HER is launching with two powerful episodes: 

  • Episode one focuses on Ibukun “IBK” Akinola, co-founder and Payments Director at PiggyVest, who has led the backend financial operations of one of Africa’s biggest fintech companies. In 2024 alone, PiggyVest paid out ₦835 billion to users under her leadership and that of her co-founders. 

  • Episode two follows Tara Oluwatomisin, a former professional footballer-turned-henna artist whose creative journey has taken her from Nigeria’s women’s league to working with stars like Tiwa Savage and Funke Akindele. Her story reflects the resilience and adaptability required to navigate Nigeria’s tough economic terrain. 

According to Anita Eboigbe, COO of Big Cabal Media and Executive Producer of the series, HER is not about representation but about reframing power. 

According to Eboigbe,

Zikoko has been covering the stories of diverse women for years on text and social formats and we thought to take it a step further with a docuseries so audiences can visualise these stories. 

We want viewers to see themselves in these women. To feel inspired, challenged, and affirmed. These are stories about navigating gender, class, faith, family and career in a society that often undermines women’s agency. 

HER: The docuseries is a love letter to the many ways Nigerian women show up and show out, Eboigbe added. 

The visual identity of the series was crafted by designer Mariam Omoyele, who chose the Amaryllis flower as the core motif. 

It represents resilience, she explained, a trait I saw consistently across the women. It felt right to surround them with something that symbolises their strength and beauty.

HER is part of Zikoko’s broader Shift the Story campaign, a cross-platform initiative aimed at reshaping narratives around gender equality, women’s economic power, and reproductive health. Using media and storytelling as vehicles for impact, the campaign pushes back on outdated norms and amplifies the voices of women who are often excluded from mainstream discourse. 

At its core, Shift the Story is about showing Nigerian women as agents of change and full people with autonomy actively contributing to society said Eboigbe. It’s also about inviting men to the table as allies, as listeners, as believers in the power of equity.

Each episode of HER will center a single woman, exploring her journey in depth and offering a personal but widely resonant look at how Nigerian women survive, lead, build, and thrive. 


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HER: The Docuseries launches Thursday, May 15 on Zikoko’s YouTube channel. For press inquiries, interviews, or media assets, please contact: projects@bigcabal.com 

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5 simple ways to regrow your hair naturally in 3 weeks

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Losing hair strands in excess levels can be frightening. It’s normal to seek solutions that can help you regrow your hair quickly.

While it may be a bit difficult to naturally regrow your hair within the space of just three weeks, it’s not entirely impossible.

Read on to find out how to achieve this and get your confidence back.

What causes hair loss (alopecia)?

Before we look at the ways to bring about quick hair regrowth, let’s identify the causes of hair loss. The most common ones include:

  • Genetics or family history: A significant number of alopecia cases are linked to a common age-related hereditary condition known as androgenetic alopecia. This condition, also known as male-pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness, occurs slowly and shows typical signs such as thinning hair along the crown of the scalp in women and a receding hairline or bald spots in men.

  • Hormonal changes and medical conditions: In the case of hormonal changes, common examples are pregnancy, childbirth, menopause or thyroid issues. And then for medical conditions, we have the immune system-related alopecia areata that triggers patchy hair loss, ringworm infections affecting the scalp, and a hair-pulling disorder called trichotillomania.

  • Medications and supplements: Hair loss also occurs as a result of certain drugs used for illnesses like cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, and high blood pressure.

Stress is another important factor although it mostly causes temporary hair loss.

READ ALSO: 5 signs your hair needs a break from braids, weaves or wigs

Is it possible to regrow your hair naturally?

Yes.

Even though there are products promising quick hair regrowth, choosing an alternative natural path is a valid decision.

What you will need, though, is consistency to achieve your desired results.


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EXPLORE: 5 Natural ways to grow healthy hair

5 simple ways to regrow hair naturally in 3 weeks

These remedies have been recommended by trichologists across the world for their proven ability to yield quick, desired results. In no particular order, they are:

1. Scalp massage

Several studies have revealed that massaging your scalp regularly stimulates blood flow to the hair follicles. This, in turn, triggers hair regrowth and prevents further hair loss.

Gently massage your scalp for at least 15-20 minutes twice daily for best results. If you are unable to do it yourself, ask a friend or partner to help you out.

2. Rosemary oil

Rosemary oil is one of the most effective essential oils for hair regrowth. Various research studies have observed that it is a more powerful treatment solution for androgenetic alopecia than Minoxidil.

This is because it limits the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for the condition. Hence, it acts as a DHT blocker.

Apply it to your scalp twice a day to see significant results.

EXPLORE: Grow your hair by exploring these food ingredients in your kitchen

3. Peppermint oil

Peppermint oil is another essential oil that is effective in treating alopecia. Research has discovered that it works by inducing the hair growth phase without harmful side effects on the body.

With peppermint oil, you will most likely start noticing signs of hair growth in two weeks. Apply it to your scalp twice a week for faster results.

4. Coconut oil

Coconut oil can penetrate deep into the hair shaft, preventing protein loss from hair and restoring hair growth. This makes it one of the most effective home natural remedies for alopecia.

Apply coconut oil and leave it on for a few hours before washing your hair. You can also choose to keep it overnight for maximum results.

RECOMMENDED: Before you use that hair relaxer, read this

5. Aloe vera gel

Aloe vera deserves a spot on this list. It makes sense: research proves it contains enzymes that protect the scalp from infections.

On top of that, topical application of aloe vera gel reduces hair fall and triggers hair regrowth.

You can apply fresh aloe vera gel on your scalp or try various face masks like honey and aloe vera or lemon and aloe vera.

YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS: Hair: Natural ways to stimulate growth and thickness

Lifestyle changes to implement

While treating alopecia naturally, you should consider some lifestyle adjustments to ensure your efforts bring about desired results. They include:

  • Avoid smoking and excessive drinking: Research shows that smoking can damage the DNA of the hair follicle and slow down the hair growth cycle. It can also cause premature greying of the hair. In addition, excess alcohol intake hinders the body from absorption of crucial nutrients like iron and protein, which are necessary for hair growth. Therefore, to tackle hair loss, stay away from smoking and excessive drinking.

  • Eat a balanced diet: Regularly consume foods rich in protein and minerals like iron, zinc, and folate. They aid in fast hair regrowth. Other foods to add to your diet include bananas, green leafy vegetables, and eggs.

  • Maintain healthy sleep patterns: An irregular sleep cycle can trigger the onset of androgenetic alopecia and cause hair loss. A healthy sleep pattern should be part of your new hair regrowth regimen, especially for rapid results.

Hair regrowth is possible, no matter the short timeframe you’ve decided to work with. However, consistency and some lifestyle changes are needed to achieve this.

If these remedies don’t yield results within your desired window, it’s okay to explore other options such as consulting a dermatologist on other appropriate treatment options available.

READ MORE: 6 natural ingredients that will regrow your edges


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Zikoko Launches HER — A Docuseries Spotlighting the Power and Grit of Nigerian Women

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Culture publication Zikoko, a flagship brand of Big Cabal Media, is proud to announce the launch of HER, a powerful new docuseries spotlighting the lives and stories of Nigerian women who are owning their economic power across different socio-economic strata. 

From tech to beauty to entrepreneurship, HER captures the resilience, drive, and intentionality of Nigerian women who are shaping culture and building legacies — often behind the scenes. 

Produced and directed by Aisha Nana Salaudeen, a multi-award-winning journalist and storyteller best known for her work on CNN African Voices, HER blends immersive storytelling with raw, honest conversations that reflect the complexity of womanhood in Nigeria. 

By virtue of being a woman, these women have experiences I can empathise with, said Salaudeen, speaking about the project. 

Access to economic power is literally the story of my life. Even when personal experiences don’t align exactly, being a woman makes it easy to understand the nuances in these stories. I wanted to highlight women who may not be forward-facing but are doing powerful, transformational work.

HER is launching with two powerful episodes: 

  • Episode one focuses on Ibukun “IBK” Akinola, co-founder and Payments Director at PiggyVest, who has led the backend financial operations of one of Africa’s biggest fintech companies. In 2024 alone, PiggyVest paid out ₦835 billion to users under her leadership and that of her co-founders. 

  • Episode two follows Tara Oluwatomisin, a former professional footballer-turned-henna artist whose creative journey has taken her from Nigeria’s women’s league to working with stars like Tiwa Savage and Funke Akindele. Her story reflects the resilience and adaptability required to navigate Nigeria’s tough economic terrain. 

According to Anita Eboigbe, COO of Big Cabal Media and Executive Producer of the series, HER is not about representation but about reframing power. 

According to Eboigbe,

Zikoko has been covering the stories of diverse women for years on text and social formats and we thought to take it a step further with a docuseries so audiences can visualise these stories. 

We want viewers to see themselves in these women. To feel inspired, challenged, and affirmed. These are stories about navigating gender, class, faith, family and career in a society that often undermines women’s agency. 

HER: The docuseries is a love letter to the many ways Nigerian women show up and show out, Eboigbe added. 

The visual identity of the series was crafted by designer Mariam Omoyele, who chose the Amaryllis flower as the core motif. 

It represents resilience, she explained, a trait I saw consistently across the women. It felt right to surround them with something that symbolises their strength and beauty.

HER is part of Zikoko’s broader Shift the Story campaign, a cross-platform initiative aimed at reshaping narratives around gender equality, women’s economic power, and reproductive health. Using media and storytelling as vehicles for impact, the campaign pushes back on outdated norms and amplifies the voices of women who are often excluded from mainstream discourse. 

At its core, Shift the Story is about showing Nigerian women as agents of change and full people with autonomy actively contributing to society said Eboigbe. It’s also about inviting men to the table as allies, as listeners, as believers in the power of equity.

Each episode of HER will center a single woman, exploring her journey in depth and offering a personal but widely resonant look at how Nigerian women survive, lead, build, and thrive. 


Join Our WhatsApp Group

Don’t miss out on any real-time information. Join our WhatsApp group to stay updated.

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HER: The Docuseries launches Thursday, May 15 on Zikoko’s YouTube channel. For press inquiries, interviews, or media assets, please contact: projects@bigcabal.com 

#FeaturedPost


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