They came, they posed, they reigned...and they disappeared. In a pre-Agbani era, they wowed the public with their beauty and elegance enjoyed a jet set lifestyle as they served as ambassadors, and promoted the values of the Nigerian woman whilst generating column inches and countless admirers. Before you could say Jack Robinson, they suddenly disappeared from the spotlight, and little or nothing has been heard of them since.
As we enter pageant season with both MBGN and Miss Nigeria preparing to each crown a new successor, we remember some of my favourite winners and contestants...and wonder were they are now...
Edna Park (Miss Nigeria 1964)
Park made history as the first Nigerian to compete in Miss Universe, but is best remembered for disrupting the show after realising that she would never be anything more than a mere contestant. Upon hearing that she had not reached the final fifteen, she collapsed on the floor and cried uncontrollably before she was carried by security guards to hospital where she was placed under sedation. Her laughing stock fate was sealed when, upon her arrival back home, she became a source of ridicule.
Park is said to have competed in Miss Lux the following year where she placed second, but nothing is known about her present whereabouts.
Yemi Fawaz (Miss Universe Nigeria 1984)
Before earning the title 'Nigeria's Queen of Models' Fawaz competed in MBGN when it was known as Miss Universe Nigeria, but despite her popularity she was piped to third place due to her mixed heritage. In a subsequent interview she claimed that a female judge didn't mince her words when voicing her disapproval ("Don't choose her; she's not Nigerian, she half-caste!"). Fawaz, whose father was Lebanese, would later criticise pageant director Ben Murray-Bruce for not acknowledging those who had brought him to the limelight.
Fawaz later opened a modelling school - the first in the country - and restaurant both in Lagos, and carved a new career in acting - she had a regular role in Mega Fortunes as Regina Askia's aunt Jumoke, but the pilot of another soap, Catwalk, failed to attract sponsors. She also had a $250,000 contract with Revlon in Lebanon, but was forced to flee following the outbreak of the Beirut War. After giving birth to daughter Tobi who played Richard Mofe- Damijo's daughter in Checkmate, she gained extra curves which she was proud to flaunt, most notably at the PMAN Music Awards in the early 90's where she wore a high-slit evening gown.
After discovering Christianity, she relocated to America where she is said to be a deaconess, but is rarely mentioned by the tabloids who once worshipped her.
Mary Bieoneh (MBGN 1986)
She may not have won the maiden edition of MBGN, but Bieoneh made history by becoming the first Nigerian to reach the top 10 at Miss World 1987. After achieving this feat she was rarely seen or heard from again. Her ambition was to become a pharmacist, but it is not known if she practices in this field.
Niki Onuaguluchi (MBGN 1987)
Nkiru 'Niki' Onuaguluchi had it all: Brains, beauty, talent, charisma. To the audience, she was the full package destined to win. So where did it all go wrong? Her height. The judges concluded that at 5'6'', Onuaguluchi would not have stood a chance among taller delegates at the forthcoming Miss Intercontinental in Lagos which was scheduled to commence in weeks. Omasan Buwa was crowned instead, and is said to have accused Onuaguluchi of hiring supporters to cheer her to victory. In an interview shortly after the coronation Onuaguluchi, who had flown in from America to vie for the crown, stated that the prize money of ₦6000 meant nothing to her as it was not enough to pay for a ticket back to the States.
Onuaguluchi told Newswatch she planned to release an album, act in movies both at home and abroad, and market a perfume, but nothing has been heard from her in years. She is said to be living in America.
Stella Okoye (Miss Nigeria 1987)
A former student of Dof Institute where she studied Catering, Stella Okoye caused a stir when she was crowned Miss Nigeria on account of her skin tone. Omasan Buwa, a fellow contestant who would later be crowned MBGN the following year claimed that policeman were summoned to guard the newly-crowned queen owing to a riot from the audience as they felt she was too dark. However, Okoye's reign was without controversy, and two years later she crowned her successor Adewunmi Adebowale who was also dark-skinned.
Okoye reportedly lives in Atlanta with her family, and her son Obinna Ofodile is said to have aspirations to play for the NBA.
Sandra Petgrave (MBGN 1992)
Critics claimed that she was lucky to win MBGN that year as the favourite was future Miss Nigeria Janet Fateye. Nevertheless Economics student Petgrave dazzled the judges in the long strapless black gown which was worn by another contestant two years later - although the latter stopped short of a pair of lacy gloves. Unlike most pageant winners, Petgrave gained a reputation as a reluctant queen who hated publicity, and although she attended the MBGN final the following year she refused to crown her successor - MBGN 1989 Regina Askia filled that role - but later compensated when she co-hosted the 1994 edition.
Petgrave later faded into obscurity until 2009 when it was reported in Nigerian tabloids that she had been arrested for physically attacking her husband which she denied, and claimed that the rumours were actually based on the script of a movie she was producing.
(Originally posted in The Naija Brit)
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