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!

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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.

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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.

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Monowi is the smallest incorporated town in the United States with just one resident.

Monowi is a village in Boyd County, Nebraska, United States. It garnered national and international recognition after the 2010 United States census counted only one resident of the village, Elsie Eiler. She’s the town’s sole resident, mayor, librarian, and bartender — all rolled into one. But why does a whole town have only one resident?

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What Happened To Monowi?

Monowi wasn’t always this quiet. Back in the 1930s, the town was home to around 150 residents. It flourished thanks to the Elkhorn Railroad and nearby farming activities. Locals once enjoyed access to grocery stores, restaurants, and even a jail, making it a fully functioning rural town. But like many communities on the American Great Plains, Monowi’s fate changed during the Great Depression.

The economic downturn and collapsing rural infrastructure drove people to cities in search of better opportunities. Families became smaller, younger generations moved away, and the once-thriving town began to fade.

By the early 2000s, Elsie Eiler and her husband Rudy were the only two residents left in Monowi. When Rudy passed away in 2004, Elsie remained, making her the town’s only inhabitant. But far from giving in to isolation, Elsie chose to carry on the legacy of her community.

How Did Elsie Get To Monowi?

In an interview with Yahoo! creators, Elsie shared that when she was 1.5 years old, her family moved to a farm just outside of town. She attended 1st through 8th grade in Monowi and then went to high school in a neighbouring town. After graduating, she and her husband, who she met in 3rd grade, moved to Texas to work for an airline.

Elsie said that she and her husband could have moved anywhere, but they both knew that Monowi was where they wanted to live for the rest of their lives so they moved back.

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Elsie As Mayor, Taxpayer, and Bartender

Monowi is made up of only three habitable buildings in the town – the tavern, the library, and Elsie’s house. There are other houses, churches, and trailers in town, but they’ve all fallen into disrepair, left by residents seeking a bigger life.

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Elsie isn’t just a resident of the town, she’s also Monowi’s mayor, treasurer, clerk, and librarian. Every year, she files a municipal budget, maintains town records, and issues a liquor license to herself to legally operate the Monowi Tavern, which has become something of a roadside attraction. Locals and travellers alike stop by for a drink and to meet the woman who runs a town all by herself.

In memory of her late husband Rudy, Elsie also runs the Monowi Library, a building filled with over 5,000 books and magazines. It stands not just as a place for reading, but as a heartfelt tribute to the man who shared the last years of Monowi’s decline with her.

In 2020, Monowi’s population briefly appeared to double from one to two due to a bureaucratic error. The census had added an extra person to protect Elsie’s identity, causing temporary confusion.

Elsie acknowledges that there is nothing to keep the younger people in Monowi. The only industry is farming, and there are no schools. The school that Elsie attended when she was younger closed down as the population shrunk, grocery stores shut down and the population dwindled until it was just Elsie.

However, Elsie said she’s not lonely. The town and her tavern attract many interesting visitors who keep her company, like the local farmers, journalists, and tourists. Through her dedication, the memory of Monowi lives on, inviting curiosity and admiration from across the world.

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Vegetables are a powerhouse of essential nutrients like vitamins, fibre, minerals, and antioxidants.

If you’re looking to boost your energy, immunity, and overall wellness, the answer lies in vegetables. Just adding a variety of vegetables to your daily diet can do wonders for your health.

Here are 12 of the best vegetables you should be eating every day and why they’re great for you.

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1. Spinach

Spinach is rich in antioxidants and low in calories. It supports your immune system and helps protect against chronic diseases. It’s packed with vitamins A and K, and a single cup of raw spinach has just 7 calories, making it a nutrient-dense addition to salads, smoothies, or omelettes.

2. Carrots

Carrot is famous for promoting healthy eyesight. Carrots provide over four times your daily vitamin A needs thanks to their high beta-carotene content. They also carry powerful antioxidants that can help reduce the risk of cancer.

3. Broccoli

Broccoli is a cruciferous veggie rich in sulforaphane. Broccoli supports cancer prevention and detoxification. It’s also loaded with vitamins C, K, folate, potassium, and manganese, making it a top choice for supporting the immune system and healthy bones.

4. Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are mini cabbages loaded with the same cancer-fighting compounds as broccoli. It contains kaempferol, which may reduce oxidative damage to cells. Brussels sprouts are rich in fibre, vitamin K, and vitamin C, making them a perfect side dish or stir-fry ingredient.

5. Sweet Potatoes

Potatoes are packed with beta-carotene and fibre. Sweet potatoes are excellent for eye health and blood sugar regulation. They’re also a smart choice for diabetics as they’re low on the glycemic index while still being hearty and satisfying.

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6. Mushrooms

Mushrooms are unique among vegetables as they contain vitamins D, and B, fibre, and plant-based protein. They’re known to boost brain function, heart health, and immune response, and make a great meat substitute in plant-based meals.

7. Asparagus

This nutrient-rich vegetable supports liver health and detoxification. Asparagus is high in fibre, folate, vitamins A, C, and K, and it’s extremely low in calories. Add it to roasted veggie dishes or steam it for a simple, health-boosting side.

8. Beets

Beets are anti-inflammatory and help improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. They contain antioxidants that may ease diabetic nerve issues and combat oxidative stress. Plus, their natural sweetness is great for salads or juicing.

9. Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are colourful and crunchy. They offer more vitamin C than oranges. They’re also rich in vitamin B6, folate, and beta-carotene, and contain antioxidants that support eye health and boost immunity.

10. Onions

Onions are full of sulfur compounds that may reduce the risk of stomach and prostate cancers. They also deliver a healthy dose of vitamin C, B6, and manganese. Their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties make them a flavourful health booster.

11. Garlic

Garlic is known for its medicinal properties. Garlic contains allicin, which supports heart health and blood sugar regulation. While cooking can reduce its benefits, raw garlic retains its full power and can be added to dips, dressings, or teas.

12. Tomatoes

Though technically a fruit, tomatoes are often included in veggie-rich meals. They’re high in potassium, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and lycopene. Tomatoes are also antioxidants linked to a reduced risk of cancer and improved eye health.

Adding one or more of these vegetables to your plate daily is a simple yet powerful step toward better health.

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