Bianca Onoh

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The daughter of former Anambra state governor Christian Onoh, Bianca Onoh - now Bianca Ojukwu - was the winner of the 1988 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant, representing Abuja. Her victory caused a stir among the audience who believed that first runner-up Regina Askia was best suited to wear the crown - apparently, Onoh had won due to her more 'commercial' look. Although she was crowned in 1988, Onoh reigned for most of 1989 as the pageant had taken place late the previous year. During this time, she represented her country in Miss Universe, but made history by becoming the first Nigerian woman to win an international pageant when she took part in the Nigerian version of Miss Intercontinental, and immediately becoming a familiar face in Nigerian tabloids. Unlike most beauty queens, Onoh was not particularly interested in modeling, although she famously told Quality magazine that she was perfect in the nude. (Onoh has since said that she was not exactly cut out to be a beauty queen; she only agreed to take part after being persuaded by her sister).

At one point , the pressure was more than she could take, and Onoh decided to step down. Her main concern, she said, was completing her university education.

Later on, it was revealed that Onoh was dating Emeka Ojukwu, the former Biafran warlord. This age-gap relationship earned her more column inches (the couple sued Climax Magazine for publishing a false story about them). Reports also suggest that Onoh was dethroned after her romance with Ojukwu was exposed - MBGN winners are discouraged from having serious relationships during their tenure. She was also was disowned by her father, although the pair have now reconciled. The Bianca/Ojukwu relationship has since been parodied in the Nollywood movie Brenda.

A Law graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Onoh is now married to Ojukwu, and the couple have children together. She divides her time between her home and cosmetics business in Enugu. Although she had stated in the past she was not into modeling, she has been seen fronting advertising campaigns for her company.