Today’s feature in the #NwanyiBuIfe series highlights Ezinne Akudo Anyaoha, a remarkable individual who has skillfully integrated her diverse talents to enrich her life and impact others. Ezinne, hailing from Imo State, is not only a lawyer but also a former beauty queen and the founder of the lifestyle brand, Nkassi.
Ezinne, an Adamazi from Ndiogbuonyeoma Uno, Arondizuogu was born in Imo State. She graduated from Federal Government Girls’ College, Owerri Imo State. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) from Abia State University and an MBA (Masters of Business Administration) from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom. She is also a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
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Ezinne shot to national fame when she won the Miss Nigeria title in 2013, beating 31 other contestants to the crown and winning the star prize of a brand-new car, a trip to California, and three million naira.
Ezinne is a stickler for women’s empowerment. She has been an active voice in the campaign against sexual violence.
During her reign as Nigeria’s beauty queen, she established the Eight Foundation; a non-governmental, non-profit organisation focused on providing psycho-social counselling and legal aid for survivors of sexual violence.
Transitioning into a leadership role as the Creative Director of the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant in 2018, Ezinne spearheaded significant reforms, ensuring free registration and voting to promote inclusivity and fair representation from all geopolitical zones. Under her guidance, the pageant crowned 18-year old Shatu Garko in 2021, making her the first Hijabi person to win a national pageant worldwide, a landmark by many standards.
Ezinne’s towering presence extends beyond her physical stature; she embodies strength and purpose, earning the respect of many.
In the words of Bovi the comedian, “Ezinne is not just tall, she walks tall”.
CentreForMemories… Maka Unyaa, Taa na Echi
IgboNwereMmadu #InspireInclusion
