'I Have Made History'. Eighteen year-old Nigerian girl becomes first black African to win the Miss World Beauty Crown.
Ever since Oluchi Onwuagba made head-lines with M-Net’s Face-of-Africa, beauty pageants have never been the same again, at least in Nigeria . A new sense of confidence emerged to replace timidity and the dark skin found prominence in beauty circles. Oluchi’s innocent face and inexperience in the world of glamour was profound even on cynics who see beauty pageant as morally bankrupt. She has since proved herself not only as a good ambassador but also as a role model.
Yet if the success story of Oluchi was phenomenal that of 18 years old Agbani Darego, a computer science undergraduate of the University of Port Harcourt , was superlative. When Julia Morley, President of the beauty pageant announced Darego as the newly-crowned “Miss World 2001” at the capacity filled South Africa luxury casino resort of Sun City , Johannesburg , the applause was deafening. She beat 92 other contestants.
“I am so happy. It’s a wonderful feeling and it’s indescribable..I have made history..Black is beautiful,”she said.
Darego, undeniably had made history as the first black African to win the coveted crown since the annual event was established 51 years ago. “I know back home they were all watching out for me and I am happy I made them proud,” she said.
Ever since Oluchi Onwuagba made head-lines with M-Net’s Face-of-Africa, beauty pageants have never been the same again, at least in Nigeria . A new sense of confidence emerged to replace timidity and the dark skin found prominence in beauty circles. Oluchi’s innocent face and inexperience in the world of glamour was profound even on cynics who see beauty pageant as morally bankrupt. She has since proved herself not only as a good ambassador but also as a role model.
Yet if the success story of Oluchi was phenomenal that of 18 years old Agbani Darego, a computer science undergraduate of the University of Port Harcourt , was superlative. When Julia Morley, President of the beauty pageant announced Darego as the newly-crowned “Miss World 2001” at the capacity filled South Africa luxury casino resort of Sun City , Johannesburg , the applause was deafening. She beat 92 other contestants.
“I am so happy. It’s a wonderful feeling and it’s indescribable..I have made history..Black is beautiful,”she said.
Darego, undeniably had made history as the first black African to win the coveted crown since the annual event was established 51 years ago. “I know back home they were all watching out for me and I am happy I made them proud,” she said.
