The chic traditional hue of beauty queens on parade at the 39th Miss Nigeria Pageant was an important statement of what it takes to be a model Nigerian woman.

When the judges at the 39th Miss Nigeria Pageant were asked what they were looking for, somebody mentioned a good "knowledge of the country". Traditionally, pageant shows are expected to be judges of abstract qualities like intelligence, as much as they are of charisma and physical attractiveness. But - it was lucid - the Miss Nigeria show sought to add an extra layer of criteria to the entire process of selecting the model Nigerian woman, who embodies the values and character of a diverse nation.

...