Jagbani darego biography definition

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THE NIGERIAN FACTOR

A CROWNING MOMENT

On November 16, 2001, Agbani Darego, an eighteen-year-old computer science and mathematics major from Rivers State, Nigeria, won the Miss World Pageant held in Sun City, South Africa, making her the first Black African to achieve this feat in the international beauty contest’s fifty-year run. Upon her return to Nigeria, public carnivals, receptions, and official state functions were held in her honor. Throngs of cheering well-wishers chased after her chauffeured car from the airport to her father’s house in Port Harcourt, a major southeastern city. The National Assembly stalled legislative activities for a courtesy visit from the newly crowned beauty queen, and the federal government bestowed upon her the national honor of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR). A portrait of her was hung in the National Assembly. In addition, the oba (a traditional ruler) of Lagos, Adeyinka Oyekan, awarded her the high chieftaincy title of Omoge Agbe Wage Agbaiye (Lady who has lifted us worldwide). The president at the time, Olusegun Obasanjo, hailed Darego’s win as a source of national pride and a direct reversal of the dominant image of Nigeria mired in “the dark days of military rule [and] the number one haven for corruption and bad governance [to] number one in beauty and intellect.” Dele Alake, a Lagos state commissioner for information and strategy, concurred, declaring: “This young and gifted lady symbolises the new Nigeria and a democratic dividend. . . . ​[Her] victory has now opened doors to our youths to compete with the best in the world.” Adokiye Young-Harry, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Oil and Gas, commented, “This is good public relations for Nigeria and we [the House of Representatives] want to set the pace in ensuring that this opportunity is recognised as such.” In a welcome address for a reception held in Darego’s honor at the National Ce

On November 17th 2001 18 year old Agbani Darego from Nigeria was chosen Miss World. The finals were hosted by Jerry Springer and took place in Sun City in the heart of South Africa. Nelson Mandela was guest of honour. This year pride prevailed over the usual criticism (1) on the bikini-parade: Darego was the first black African Miss World, a shining example to many girls and women all over Africa, for whom having a fair complexion was still the highest ideal in beauty (2). Darego, resident to the south of Nigeria, made it specifically clear she’s a Christian. Her very special thanks went out to »God, whom [she would] always be grateful [to] for crowning [her] life with his love…«

Nigeria, after having lurched from one military coup to another, had had an elected leadership since 1999, when Olusegun Obasanjo came to power. But the political liberalisation ushered in by the return to civilian rule allowed militants from the many different ethnic and religious groups (3) to express their frustrations more freely, and with increasing violence. Since 1999 thousands of people had died in communal rivalry, and separatist aspirations among some groups started to grow. The gradual imposition of Islamic law, Shari’ah, in 12 of the impoverished, predominately islamic northern states embedded divisions and caused thousands of Christians to flee to the south after more than 3000 had died in bloody protest marches. The Shari’ah courts imposed strict punishments, including floggings and amputations for transgressions like theft (4) and adultery.

On March 22nd 2002 Amina Lawal, a 30 year-old Muslim woman, was sentenced to be stoned to death by a Shari’ah court at Bakori in Katsina State, northern Nigeria. Amina had confessed to having had a child while divorced. The man named as the father of her baby denied having had sex with her; the charges against him were dropped. Amina did not have a lawyer during her first trial

In 2001, Nigeria's Agbani Darego was crowned Miss World in South Africa. Sitting regally in front of a live audience that had just erupted, Darego was overwhelmed with joy and disbelief. She looked radiant — almost transcendent — with her eyes catching camera flashes as she ceremoniously took a walk as the new queen. Back home, people were jubilant. News broadcasts were chiming with a long, triumphant chorus: for the first time, Nigeria had won. It was also a breakthrough for Africa, producing the continent's first indigenous winner.

Nigeria hadn't seen coverage of this magnitude since hosting FIFA's U-20 World Cup in 1999. The turn from military rule put the country under the illusion of democracy. The new millennium was intoxicating and the internet was ready to take over. Fashion was taking sartorial cues from the digital bubble, pumped with the futuristic glee of tiny sunglasses, bright colors, and other kitschy accessories.

At the time of the beauty contest, Darego who was only 19, was majoring in computer science at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Adhering to pageant formality, the sheath evening dress she wore was olive green with a train at the back, the V-neckline embellished with small Swarovski stones. Her hairstyle, a bun updo, was the meticulous work of Bobby Eke of Bobby's Signature. Many women and girls in Nigeria were inspired to recreate the look for themselves, as a cultural keepsake.

November 16th was the 20 year anniversary of Darego's big win. Inducing nostalgia and a long-lost patriotism, two decades is worth looking back on. "I don't see us having that moment again in a long time," Frank Oshodi, the designer of the dress, said while chuckling. His fashion label House of Bunor is still operational, and when I spoke with him, we were in his studio in Surulere, Lagos. Before I walked in, he had bee

Nigerian model and beauty queen

ChiefIbiagbanidokibubo Asenite 'Agbani' Darego, MFR (born 22 December 1982) is a Nigerian model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss World 2001. She was the first black African to win Miss World.

Early life

Abonnema-native Darego was born in Lagos to a family as the sixth of eight children. At age two, her family relocated to Port Harcourt where she was raised in D-Line. Darego attended Bereton Montessori Nursery and Primary School, and at ten was sent to boarding school in a bid to shield her from her mother who battled breast cancer. Her mother, Inaewo, owned a rice trading business and a clothing boutique, but died two years after her daughter's move to boarding school. Darego has spoken of how the loss prepared her for tough challenges in the future. As a teenager, Darego longed to be a model, and auditioned for the M-Net Face of Africa modelling competition despite her conservative father's wishes, but was not chosen as a finalist. Darego attended Federal Government Girls' College, Abuloma. Upon completing her secondary education she attended University of Port Harcourt where she studied Computer Science and Mathematics.

Pageantry

In 2001, Darego was crowned Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria. Contrary to popular belief, Darego did not replace Valerie Peterside after the latter was dethroned; Peterside had competed in rival pageant Miss Nigeria. A few months later Darego was a contestant at Miss Universe, and became the first Nigerian to place among the top 10 semi-finalists, finishing seventh overall. She was the only top ten contestant to wear a modest maillot as opposed to a revealing bikini during the swimsuit competition.

In November that year, she became the first Indigenous African to claim the Miss World title (Past winners Penelope Coelen and Anneline Kriel, both of South Africa, are of European descent, and Antig