27th April, 2014
Emmanuel Ikubese, was on Saturday night crowned ‘Mr Nigeria 2014″ at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Ikubese, a 25-year old actor, got a car, a modelling contract, N1 million prize money and the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the “Mr World” contest in the Netherlands later this year.
He had to shrug off 19 other contestants to emerge winner of the annual contest, organised by the Silverbird Group. The event featured stage appearances in different outfits and performances by the 20 contestants.
The contestants appeared on stage in different attires and gave different artistic performances before being reduced to 10.
The hosts then took them through a question and answer routine before they reduced the group of 10 to five.
Austine Igwilo and Michael Amilo clinched the first and second-runner up positions respectively.
Ikubese said he would use his new position to be a good role model and to inspire millions of youths and encourage them to chase their dreams.
“I am currently part of a campaign against HIV/AIDS and I will also do my own projects. One of them is the fight against domestic violence because I have come across a lot of such violence in the news in recent times.
“The case of the man who stabbed his wife 72 times got to me and I decided to take it up. We are Africans and we are honourable men and beating our women is never a sign of our strength.”
Ikubese added that: “I want to get us talking about God-given innate African qualities again and encourage our men to be real men.”
Ikubese who studied International Relations at the United States International University, Nairobi, Kenya, hails from Kwale in Delta State.