Aspiring model, Ayotunde Ajiboye beat 23 other smart and talented young men to win the Mr Ideal Nigeria prize over the weekend. The excited winner of the second edition of the search says feels great and happy to have won the title and he is already looking forward to representing Nigeria and winning the Mr United Nations pageant in December. “I am proud of my accomplishment because I know it would take me on to greater heights.  I will like to move on and win Mr United Nations pageant coming up in December and be the cover model for lots of magazines and brands.”

The keenly contested finale held at the Cheers Hotel in Lagos started with a non-scoring round in traditional wear after which the top 24 were reduced to 16. The top 16 then competed in swim wear, talent hunt, evening wear as well as answering questions from the judges.  At each stage 4 people were eliminated until it was left with the last four men standing for face the ultimate question. Based on the answer to the question and performance in the previous rounds, the judges adjudged Ayotunde as the most capable. He was followed by Izu Ano.

As winner of Mr Ideal Nigeria 2011, Ayotunde Ajiboye gets to start his own business as well as represent Nigeria at the Mr United Nations finals. He will also be dressed by Mutay Mode for the year with shoes provided by TT Dalk. Izu Ano, the runner-up also won a year’s contract with Hot Spot Models and will represent Nigeria at the Mister Tourism International contest in Panama, in November .

Some other finalists won awards including ‘Mr Naijatrek’ for Imad, ‘Mr Body Perfect’ for KC, ‘Mr Adam Brooks’ for Bassey , ‘Best Traditional Outfit’ for Vincent,  and ‘Mr Photogenic’ for Clement. ‘Mr Spirit’ went to Fizzy, ‘Mr Talent’ went to Josh, while Segun won ‘Mr Personality’.

The founder of the competition, Ayotunde ‘Twitch’ Fabamwo believes the primary purpose of the pageant is to encourage the Nigerian youth to come up with their own business ideas without depending on organizations or the government to provide them with one. He comments, ”The show was full of energy and I am quite happy at the choice of the judges. I know Ayotunde will go on to be an amazing Mr Ideal Nigeria and an inspiration to thousands of young Nigerians.”

Unlike other male pageants, the winner of the Mr Ideal receives funding to start their own business and also create a campaign that is geared towards encouraging other young people to start their own businesses.  The winner of the maiden edition, Olawale Bello took up the challenge and has successfully started a business of his own called TWITCH Active, a premium fitness outfit which takes fitness to clients in the comfort of their homes.

Mr Ideal Nigeria 2011, Ayotunde Ajiboye will be working on a project to support the Kanu Heart Foundation.  He adds, “I would also like to use the ONE9ja club as a forum to educate young people more on entrepreneurship, making them see the need to be upright and doing”