Historical Photos Of The First Woman To Be Miss Nigeria, Grace Atinuke Oyelude

Grace Atinuke Oyelude who will be 72 in few months time (December) was crowned the first Miss Nigeria in 1957 in a contest that involved 200 young girls from all parts of Nigeria. She was born in Sabon Gari, Kano on November 16, 1932, to the Christian family of the late Pa James Adeleye Oyelude and late Mama Marthan Datanu of Isanl in Kogi State....

She once said in an interview;

Was there any designer or beautician working for you?

No. No, nothing like that. No make up. I was just natural in my dressing. You know the lady I said sat beside me was just beautiful. She used make up. I learnt she just came back from England. Her hair was nicely done. I thought she would be the one. I learnt she was a physiotherapist.

When I was announced as Miss Nigeria, there was no much fanfair as you have it today. But on the second day, they took me to a saloon where they used a hot comb to do my hair. I was looking somehow a ridiculous (laugh). They gave me 200 Pounds Sterling, for our nice cotton dress. To me, 200 Pounds was a lot of money when I was earning 3 Pounds a month and a return ticket to London for one week.