Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu | |
|---|---|
| Born | Bianca Onoh |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | MBGN 1988, Miss Intercontinental 1989 |
| Major competition(s) | Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 1988, Miss Intercontinental 1989 |
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu (born Bianca Odinakachukwu Onoh) is a Nigerian businesswoman and former lawyer, best remembered for her controversial relationship with Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu the Ikemba of Nnewi and former Biafran president, who was over thirty years her senior. Their romance was a national talking point in the early nineties.[1]
Pageants
The daughter of former Anambra state governor Christian Onoh, Odumegwu-Ojukwu won the 1988 edition of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant, representing Abuja. Although she was crowned in 1988, Odumegwu-Ojukwu reigned for most of 1989 as the pageant had taken place late the previous year. She represented her country in Miss Universe, but achieved greater success by winning Miss Intercontinental,[2] immediately becoming a familiar face in Nigerian tabloids. Odumegwu-Ojukwu has since said in an interview she had only agreed to take part in the pageant after being persuaded by her sister Lilian.[2]
In 1989, it was revealed that Odumegwu-Ojukwu was dating Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, a childhood friend of her father who is said to have been her godfather at her christening.[3] This age-gap relationship earned her more column inches. Reports had suggested that she was dethroned after her romance was exposed, as MBGN winners are discouraged from having serious relationships during their tenure.[4] The pressure of being in the public eye became unbearable, and she decided to step down. Her main concern, she stated, was completing her university education.[2] She was also was disowned by her father, although he was said to have forgiven her before his death in 2009.[3]
Post Pageant
After graduating from Law School, Odumegwu-Ojukwu briefly practised the profession before quitting, and now divides her time between her home, her cosmetics business Bianca Blend in Enugu, and her interior decorating outfit Nourobella.[5] Although she had stated in interviews her disdain for modeling in the past, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu has fronted an advertising campaign for her products. She is in charge of the non-government organisation Hope House Trust, centered towards rehabilitating juvenile offenders in Enugu.[5] [6]
Personal life
A Law graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Odumegwu-Ojukwu is now married to the Ikemba, and the couple have children together. Of her marriage, she admits that while she is happy to have found her older husband, she would not encourage her daughter to marry the same way.[7]