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India’s Harnaaz Sandhu Crowned Miss Universe 2021

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Harnaaz Sandhu of India was crowned Miss Universe 2021 on Sunday, marking the end of a controversial pageant hosted this year in southern Israel.

In a speech on stage during the pageant, Sandhu urged young people to “know that you are unique and that’s what makes you beautiful, stop comparing yourself to others. I believed in myself, and that’s why I’m standing here today,” she added, to loud applause from the audience.

The pageant was held in the resort city of Eilat, with 80 women from around the world competing for the crown. Sunday night was the last day of the competition, with eliminations narrowing down the number of finalists until the last two remained, CNN reports.

Nadia Ferreira of Paraguay and Lalela Mswane of South Africa were the first and second runners-up, respectively.

The competition was hosted by comedian Steve Harvey, who at one point in the night asked Sandhu, “I hear you do some pretty good animal impersonations, let’s hear your best one.”

Harvey was later criticized online for singling her out with what many have suggested was an inappropriate question.

“Oh my god, Steve, I was not expecting to do this on the world stage. I have to do this, I have no other option. Brace yourselves, everyone,” she said looking surprised, before demonstrating a few meows.

At a later Q&A session, when Sandhu had reached the top 5, she took the opportunity to spread a message on climate change. “This is the time to take action and talk less. Prevent and protect is better than repent and repair,” she said.

After her win was announced, she celebrated with other contestants on stage, shouting to a camera, “Chak de Phatte India,” a Punjabi exclamation similar in meaning to “Let’s do this, India!”

This year’s competition marks the second Covid-era Miss Universe pageant. Israel’s borders were set to open to vaccinated tourists ahead of the main event this year, which would have allowed thousands of fans to attend.

But with the emergence of the new Omicron variant, the Israeli government shut its borders to foreigners two weeks before the competition, throwing travel plans and preparations into chaos. 

One contestant, Miss France, tested positive for the virus upon landing in Israel and had to quarantine — getting out just in time for the preliminary competition on Friday.

The pageant was also wrapped in another layer of political controversy, with some critics and countries calling for boycotts as with previous international events hosted in Israel.

The South African government withdrew its support and called on Mswane to drop out, citing Israeli treatment of Palestinians, calling it “apartheid,” a charge Israel has vehemently denied. But Mswane with the backing of the Miss South Africa organization chose to travel to Israel and compete.

Other figures, including Miss Israel, Noa Cochva, responded with a common refrain heard from pageant organizers and contestants: Miss Universe should not be about politics.

Israel was one of the first countries to begin vaccinating its population and had reached a high vaccination rate by May this year, when the country was approached about hosting the December competition, according to a spokesperson from Israel’s Ministry of Tourism.

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Veteran Nollywood Actor, Amaechi Muonagor Dies at 61

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Nollywood legend, Amaechi Muonagor, has reportedly passed on. He was 61.

The actor suffered kidney failure and has been on dialysis.

His demise on Sunday came just few days after a video, where he was soliciting funds for Kidney transplant went viral.

His death comes weeks after another Nollywood actor, Mr Ibu, died.

No official statement has yet been released.

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Popular Celebrity Award: Adeleke, Dele Momodu Hail Nigeria’s Entertainment As World Class

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The governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, and Publisher, Ovation International Magazine, Aare Dele Momodu have hailed the Nigerian entertainment industry as world-class by all standard.

The duo made the disclosure at the unveiling of a voting platform for Most Popular Celebrity Award in Osogbo, Osun State by Governor Adeleke.

Speaking with journalists at the Celebrity House, Osogbo, venue of the unveiling, Momodu said Nigerian music industry and Nollywood are global brands, adding that the award would further boost the industry’s rating towards becoming a global leader.

“The Nigerian entertainment industry is world-class, it is one that would become number one in the world. So, I am proud of what Osun state has done. Governor Ademola Adeleke is investing in the industry; he is from a family that is into entertainment with the likes of David Adeleke (Davido), Shina Rambo, B-Red among others.

“This project is aimed at producing more of Davidos, B-Reds, not just in the state but also across the country, hence, our decision to support the ambition.

“I urge Nigerians to join the platform and vote for their favourite celebrities. This is an industry that can solve the problem of unemployment if properly supported. It could take our youths out of poverty,” he said.

Declaring the platform opened, Governor Adeleke, who was represented by the Commissioner for Tourism, Abiodun Ojo, said the reason for the choice of Osun for the event is not far-fetched, saying the state is the cradle of entertainment with the likes of late Duro Ladipo, Kareem Adepoju (Baba Wande), Yemi Elebuibon to the trendy Davido among others.

“Today, we are unveiling another landmark, a prestigious honour to creative minds. It is an integrity laced process and a unifying force to boost the industry, through an enigmatic progression that will create over 50,000 entrepreneurs Nationwide.

“This will be a drive to a sustainable data based National Recognition in form of an Award to Nigeria’s MOST POPULAR CELEBRITY for the year 2023 in 17 Categories to be crowned here in Osogbo,” he added.

The project coordinator, Solanke Hamzat, said the platform would offer fans opportunity to vote for their favourite celebrities in seventeen categories.

He said the platform is devoid of any technicalities and is making the fans the decider based on the influence such celebrity had on their lives.

The Osun State government under Governor Adeleke has been in the forefront of promoting tourism, culture, entertainment and more in the state.

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Glo Launches Naija Comedy Service to Boost Entertainment, Fun

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A new offer, Glo Naija Comedy Service, which features an array of video content from top Nigerian comedians has been unveiled by digital solutions company, Globacom.

Globacom explained in a press statement in Lagos that “Glo Naija Comedy Service, was designed to suit customers’ entertainment and fun needs and its available at the palm of customers’ hands on all android and i-phone devices and on any web browser of their choice.”

Glo stated that the stress-bursting video content service which is deployed in conjunction with NCC-licensed aggregators will feature the likes of Sabinus, Aki and Pawpaw and others, providing rib-cracking jokes and entertainment for the enjoyment of Nigerians. It added that “Glo Naija Comedy Service ensures there is something for everyone”.

The service, according to Globacom,  is easy to use and it works on all web browsers. It stated that there is no need to download any app to enjoy it, adding that “As long as a subscriber has an active data pack, he or she will be able to access Glo Naija Comedy Service and savour the fun”.

Customers can subscribe to the service by dialing the short code 55222 or *55222# while subscription for the service include daily subscription pack which attracts N20 per day, weekly subscription which goes for N100, and the monthly packages starting from N500.

Globacom said “Customers can also call Glo Customer Care Centre on short code 300 for additional information on the service.”

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