MMNI pageant: Organiser poses COVID-19 fitness certificate as requirement for contestants

Brendance and Crusaders Limited (BCL), the organiser of Mr and Miss Nigeria International (MMNI), says that evidence of COVID-19 fitness certificate will serve as a major requirement for contestants in the pageant tagged ‘The Rebirth Edition 2020’.

Bredan Nsikak, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BCL, told Newsmen on Sunday that the directive was part of measures to complement government’s efforts in flattening the curve of the virus.

Nsikak said the contestants would be required to present the certificate at the point of entry to the camp billed for Oct. 31 in Lekki ahead of the event holding on Nov. 7.

“Our preparations are in progress and we are aware of the issues with COVID-19 and measures being put in place by the government to check and control further spread.

“We are also requesting that the contestants and other crew members should to go for COVID-19 test because only those that have COVID-19 free certificates will be allowed into the camp.

“The idea is to, as much as we can, guarantee the health state of everyone at least for the period they are going to be in camp,” he said.

According to him, 32 contestants comprising youths between 18 years and 28 years excelled from the online votings and they would compete for the 2020/2021 crowns of the pageant.

He added that the event would extensively feature Mr and Miss International Africa (MMIA) as Nigeria being the host would have her 2019/2020 MMNI compete for honours alongside contestants from nine other countries.

Nsikak said that during the event, contestants would appear on stage in adition to its being live stream on Instagram, Youtube and Twitter.

According to him, ‘The Rebirth Edition 2020’ MMNI and MMAI pegeantry holding in Lekki Astoria Event Centre, would be strictly by invitation in line with the protocols guiding COVID-19 pandemic.

“Contestants for the MMIA will see the current male and female crown holders crowning the new winners of MMNI, so it is going to be a double event.

“It’s not going to be open to public this time around because of the COVID-19 pandemic and obeying social distancing directive, but people will have the opportunities to watch it live on the various social media platforms,”

Nsikak added that he had made adequate efforts to make the event unique by inviting notable artists, comedians and making provisions for other side attractions to entertain the guests then.