Michelle Ashimwe has officially arrived in Abuja, Nigeria, where she is representing Rwanda in the continental beauty pageant known as Miss Africa Calabar, which brings together contestants from various African countries.
Speaking
to InyaRwanda, Michelle expressed her optimism, saying that even though
it’s her first time in Nigeria and her first time participating in this
competition, she is confident about winning, “as long as Rwandans continue to
support me.”
She noted that most of
the contestants arrived in Nigeria on Monday, April 14, 2025, while she landed
on Sunday night, April 13, 2025. Michelle added that more contestants were
expected to arrive on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, and that they would head to the
boot camp on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
“On Wednesday, we will
travel to the boot camp location, which is in Calabar. For now, we are still in
Abuja,” she said.
The boot camp will
conclude on Easter Sunday, which is also when the winner of Miss Africa Calabar
2025 will be announced. Michelle revealed that she plans to return to Rwanda
two days after the competition ends. “I’m determined to do my best and make my
country proud,” she said.
The grand finale will
take place on April 20, 2025, at the Calabar International Convention Centre in
Calabar.
During a welcome ceremony
in Abuja, Nigeria’s Secretary to the Government, George Akume, who hosted the
contestants along with the reigning Miss Africa, Precious Okoye, praised the
Cross River State Government for its continued efforts in combating climate
change. He highlighted their public awareness campaigns aligned with Nigeria’s
Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also commended the
pageant’s 2025 theme “Climate Change,”urging the contestants to become strong
advocates for climate action and raise awareness about its impact on food
security and sustainable development.
Reigning Miss Africa,
Precious Okoye, shared how holding the crown has enabled her to initiate
projects focused on empowering women through agro-based industries, aiming to
enhance women's roles in community development.
Thomas Idim Ikpeme, the
Cross River State tourism commissioner, emphasized that this pageant is not
only a platform to promote tourism but also a channel to highlight pressing
issues relevant to the African continent.
This marks the seventh
edition of Miss Africa Calabar. Although Rwanda has participated in the past,
no Rwandan contestant has yet won the crown. However, in January 2021, Rwanda’s
Uwihirwe Yasipi Casmir was appointed Tourism Ambassador for Cross River State
following her participation.
This year’s contestants
include representatives from Algeria, Mali, Liberia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Rwanda,
Zimbabwe, Ghana, Botswana, Kenya, and Mozambique.
The winner of Miss Africa
Calabar 2025 will receive a cash prize of $25,000 and a brand-new car.
In 2022, Rwanda was
represented by Mugabekazi Ngoga Anaise, who did not win. That year’s crown was
claimed by Nigeria’s Precious Okoye on December 27, 2022.
The competition was
canceled in 2021 due to health advisories related to the COVID-19 pandemic,
according to a statement released by the organizers.
Miss Africa
Calabar is an annual pageant organized by the government of Cross River
State, Nigeria. It began in 2016 and continues to be one of Africa’s most
prominent continental beauty competitions.
Rwanda’s
Ashimwe Michelle [right] ready to excel at Miss Africa Calabar in Nigeria
Kin
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