MBGN 2008 Adaeze Igwe performing at Miss World Talent

The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) pageant originally began as Miss Universe Nigeria in 1983, and was created by Silverbird Group. It was later re-named Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria in 1986. ^[1] Winners represent Nigeria in Miss World and, until recently, Miss Universe - currently, only the first-runner up participates in Miss Universe.

[edit] The Pageant

After Miss Nigeria stopped representing the country abroad, MBGN title holders continued from where Miss Nigeria had stopped. ^[2] Originally, contestants were allowed to wear maillot swimsuits of their choice during the swimsiut parade. Identical bikinis are now used instead. The contestants do not always represent the states they hail from - nearly all of the contestants who represent northern states come from the South, as the predominantly Islamic north frown upon beauty pageants. The current titileholder, Glory Chuku, represented northern state Nassarawa, despite being Igbo.

Although no contest was held for a 1989 winner, Regina Askia took over from winner Bianca Onoh after the latter decided to step down, automatically making Askia MBGN 1989. A contest took place in December 1989, and Sabina Umeh, was announced as the winner for 1990.

Emma Komlosy became the first mixed race winner of MBGN in 1996. Previous mixed race contestants had included Lilian Bach and Ibinabo Fiberesima. Komlosy's father is of Hungarian descent, and her mother, singer/actress Patti Boulaye is from Delta.

In 2001, following Agbani Darego victory at Miss World, MBGN first runner-up Ann Suinner was asked to step in as the new title holder for five months. ^[3]

A number of contestants who participated in MBGN but failed to win tried their luck in Miss Nigeria. Successful contestants include Janet Fateye (Miss Nigeria 1993), and Sylvia Edem (Miss Nigeria 2002).^[4]

In 2007, Silverbird announced that the pageant will now produce five representatives, as opposed to one winner. The representatives will take part in beauty contests around the world. This year, MBGN was criticized as it did not receive much coverage, and little is known of the current titleholder, twenty -year old youth copper Glory Chuku, who will represent Nigeria at Miss World. MBGN 2009's first runner-up Sandra Otohwo recently participated in Miss Universe.

Several past winners and participants of MBGN have managed to carve out successful careers in modelling, acting, business and politics. Others, like Rhihole Gbinigie and Sandra Petgrave, have sank into obscurity.

[edit] International level

MBGN representatives have fared better than delegates from Miss Nigeria in international shows. The most prominent victory was Agbani Darego's win at 2001 Miss World pageant, making her the only black African to accomplish this feat; she had also been a finalist at Miss Universe 2001. Apart from Darego, MBGN has also produced three Miss World Continental Queens of Beauty, including Chinenye Ochuba (2002)^[5], and Anita Uwagbale (2004).^[6]

After MBGN 1986 Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu won Miss Africa, second-place winner Mary Bienoseh was sent to represent Nigeria at Miss World 1987. While she did not officially replace Chuba Ikpeazu as MBGN, Bienoseh placed ninth in Miss World, making her the first Nigerian to reach the finals, and the first to win the Continental Queen of Beauty title.^[7]

Bianca Onoh was crowned Miss Intercontinental in 1989, but was forced to resign due to unbearable pressure.^[8] Her MBGN replacement, Regina Askia, was in the top three in Miss Charm held in Russia.^[9]

In 1990, Sabina Umeh won Miss World's Personality prize. ^[10]Toyin Raji won it in five years later, despite having to withdraw from the pageant at the last minute due to political reasons.^[11] Prior to this, Raji had been named Miss Congeniality at Miss Universe 1995.

MBGN 2003 first runner-up May Ikeora became the first Nigerian to win Miss Ecowas in Cape Verde.^[12] In 2005, Omowunmi Akinnifesi was crowned Miss Tourism International in Ukraine. ^[13] Four years later, at a ceremony held in China, MBGN second-place winner Diana Odiaka was named Miss Tourism Africa at Miss Tourism Queen International.

[edit] Title Holders

MBGN 2007 Munachi Nwankwo at Miss World 2007

[edit] See also

• Miss Nigeria

[edit] External links

• MBGN website

[edit] References