By Yemisi Suleiman 

It was fun and thrills as aspiring Models came out in droves for the audition and screening for this year’s edition of Mr and Miss Campus International pageant.

Held at the Retro Lounge, Victoria Island Lagos, the event saw the contestants displaying their creativity and catwalk dexterity as they were screened by the judges.

 Founded seven years ago by former model Oteri Agboro, who is also a seasoned pageant organiser and producer,  the Mr and Miss Campus is aimed at educating and empowering young Nigerian undergraduates from across the country. 

Agboro informed that the pageant is called  Mr and Miss Campus International, as it comprises students from various  institutions representing the institution and contesting not just for beauty, but intellectual strength as well as glamour. 

According to the Pageant director, Barrister Ihua Armstrong, the pageant is purely for students and it is meant to bring out the best in them academically and otherwise.

“The kind of education we have now is different  from what we used to have. Today’s generation whether we like it   or not, have moved on because of  globalisation. They are not sticking to  reading and learning alone.

You need other things to  entice them while they are at school. Teenagers  love glamour.”

Armstrong said the pageant is also a foundation to groom young boys and girls, as the winners are exposed to  different phase of life, while  understanding the  essence of  education. 

“While they are in camp we make them understand that they have talents. The essence is not just getting a certificate to benefit the students and society “. he says.  

Armstrong noted  that  empowering the young ones with skills and knowledge to rediscover themselves has been of great advantage. 

“All these are things that we internalise in them while in the camp. So, when they get back they will  begin to see things with a better perspective and  practicalise as well as add positively to the values and virtues given to them. It is good to internalise social values in them because it will help them in future.”

Armstrong added that the contest has expanded the inflow of students contesting this year, as castings has been done for the northern zone, while that for the Southern zone is ongoing. 

The event billed to hold before the end of the year, promises to be exciting with mouth watering prices for contestants; “the grand prize are two cars , one for the male and another for the female overall winners. There would be other prizes too. ” Armstrong concluded.