Etim Imisim And Ify Isiekwenagbu
12 November 2002
Lagos — History was made yesterday as 92 contestants from different parts of the world arrived Abuja for the 52nd edition of the Miss Beauty Pageant 2002.
The event is taking place one year after Agbani Darego, who has only one month to remain on the throne, won the Miss World Beauty Pageant for Nigeria.
The Chairperson of the organising agency of the Miss World Organisation, Julia Morley, led the contestants, who arrived aboard a Nigeria Airways flight from London. Although the arrival of the contestants was scheduled for 5p.m, they did not arrive until 7 p.m.
The world had been waiting to see how many contestants would turn up at the pageant, following the controversy the introduction and the execution of Sharia laws in some states in Northern Nigeria generated around it.
The show had attracted controversy from the Islamic community in Nigeria, which saw the pageant as abusing the dignity of women, and threatened to disrupt it. On the other hand, a good number of countries, mostly Western nations, threatened to boycott the show, claiming that Nigeria held views that were unfair and prejudicial to women.
But the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Chief Dubem Onyia, said that Nigeria is a signatory to, and that it implemented, international conventions on fundamental human rights, as well as being a democratic country governed by international works.
Onyia allayed the fears of contestants over Sharia. "Since the attainment of democracy in Nigeria, none has ever been stoned to death because we believe in our fundamental human rights. Take advantage of this opportunity," he said.
He promised the contestants a memorable stay in Nigeria, saying the Nigerian government had put in place adequate security and comfort for them. "You'll find Nigerians are a friendly lot," he assured them.
The reception took place at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Professor Jerry Gana, also welcomed the world beauties. "Every other location in Africa may be the gateway, Nigeria is the destination," he said. "You have arrived the destination."
Also present was Minister of Aviation, Dr. Kema Kema Chikwe. "Nigerians are very hospitable people. Let me assure you that everything has been put in place to make you comfortable," she said. The FCT Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Abba-Gana, was represented at the reception.
The Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority and the man, who started it all, Mr. Ben Marry Bruce, described the pageant the greatest event on earth.
"This is the greatest show in the world; never has Nigeria witnessed an event so big and so popular in the history of this nation," a visibly elated Bruce said.
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