Organisers of the Miss Nigeria Pageant, The Audrey Silva Company (TASC), has congratulated the first-ever winner of the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant, Ma Grace Atinuke Oyelude, on her 93rd birthday.
In a statement on Wednesday, Rita Dominic, actress and President of Miss Nigeria 1957, described Oyelude as an evergreen beauty and great pathfinder.
Rita Dominic wrote, “Her courage, resolve and great strength of character are excellent qualities that have endeared her to us and many others”.
Also felicitating with Oyelude, Fidelis Anosike, Chairman of Folio Communications, and owner of Miss Nigeria 1957, said Oyelude was “a mother par excellence and a trailblazer for women empowerment”.
Oyelude who turns 93 on Thursday (today), November 16, won the maiden edition of the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant in 1957.
She contested with over 200 other Nigerian ladies and won the top prize. She would later use part of her 200 pounds prize money to travel to England where she studied nursing.
She worked briefly in England before returning to Nigeria to serve in various capacities.
Oyelude was born on November 16, 1931, in Sabon Gari, Kano, to James and Martha Oyelude.
