Celebration, tears of joy and loud applause have followed the ovational victory of Mercy Echeweozo C., a protégé of the Mascot Uzor Kalu Foundation, who has emerged winner of Miss Independent Int’l Nigeria 2025.
The breakthrough was announced to MUK TV with excitement by the Creative Programme Director of the foundation, Amb. Elite Eberechukwu Orji Kalu, who described the moment as emotional and deeply fulfilling, disclosing that Mercy is a product of #AbaGotTalent, a youth empowerment platform exclusively sponsored by the Mascot Uzor Kalu Foundation.
With her national crown secured, Mercy is now set to represent Nigeria on the global stage at the Miss Independent Int’l 2026 pageant scheduled to hold in Thailand in April 2026.
Breaking the news, Orji Kalu declared, “I’m overwhelmed with joy to break this good news about my baby Mercy a product of #Abagottalent from MASCOT UZOR KALU FOUNDATION.”
She disclosed that hearing Mercy recount her journey through emotional voice notes left her in tears, describing the experience as overwhelming.
“After I listened to her voice notes serveral times yesterday afternoon been 28th Jan 2026, I was so emotional with tears of joy hearing all she said about my words of encouragements to her and all she benefitted From the foundation even when Sir Mascot didn’t even know her in person.”
Tracing Mercy’s success back to her teenage years, Orji Kalu said the beauty queen’s global rise is proof that early mentorship and empowerment truly work.
“Now I made bold to say that Mercy is one of the numerous testaments and testimonies that the seed Mascot Uzor Kalu Foundation planted in her when she was a teenage girl in 2018 has germinated to a fruitful fruit who is now a woman of value with global recognition in 2026. TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY”
Mercy was one of the AbaGotTalent girls during the Inspire Me Maiden Edition held in 2018, where she first came under the mentorship and support of the foundation. Photos from the event show her standing among other participants, years before her rise to international recognition.
The Mascot Uzor Kalu Foundation, through AbaGotTalent, is committed to discovering, developing, empowering and supporting young Nigerians with exceptional talents.
Through the initiative, over 300 youths have benefitted from financial support, with beneficiaries receiving between ₦200,000 and ₦300,000 to help nurture their abilities.
As Mercy prepares to carry Nigeria’s flag to Thailand, her story is already being celebrated as a powerful reminder that planted seeds of encouragement, mentorship and opportunity can grow into global success stories.
