Nigeria receives Miss World boost

Daregbo: "I'm happy I'm a Nigerian, I'm happy I'm the first black African to win."

By CNN Lagos Bureau Chief Jeff Koinange

LAGOS, Nigeria (CNN) -- The 50th anniversary of the Miss World competition would have passed unnoticed to many were it for one fact -- for the first time ever, this year's winner was chosen from sub-Saharan Africa.

She's 18-year-old Nigerian Agbani Daregbo, a first-year university student with dreams of becoming a computer scientist.

But her victory represents more than just a colour barrier crossover. It comes at a time when Nigeria badly needed some positive public relations.

"It means a lot for the country because you have a country that is not known for anything of excellence, anything of beauty," says Ben Murray-Bruce, director of the Nigeria Television Authority.

"It's known for corruption, it's known for fraud, it's known for ethnic violence, it's known for anything that's wrong and terrible

Daregbo says she hopes to turn that tide of negativity.

"It means everything. I'm really, really proud. I'm happy I'm a Nigerian, I'm happy I'm the first black African to win," she says.

Her victory was so significant that Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo insisted on a personal meeting.

The president knows Daregbo could help change the image of a country known more for ethnic clashes and racial riots than beauty pageant winners.

"I believe that with this and other things happening in Nigeria, we will be able to show them that we are not what they think we are," Daregbo says.

"They should just give us the opportunity, come to Nigeria to see what we have and I'm sure we'll be able to prove ourselves."

Nigeria and Africa's first-ever Miss World begins a rigorous one-year schedule of photo shoots and public appearances.

She'll no doubt be one of the most recognisable faces gracing magazines and newspapers around the world -- a welcome relief for her turbulent continent, where winners and victories are few and far between.