African queen

It’s about celebration, the celebration of Africa and the celebration of Ireland,” says pageant organiser Tina Akinola. Tina’s resplendent in the robes of her native Nigeria in honour of her duties as MC in tonight’s show. “It’s not really a contest in that all the girls who are here are beautiful and talented and very proud of their heritage,” she explains. “That’s the real purpose of the show, to celebrate that diversity.”

The third annual ‘Most Beautiful African Girl In Ireland’ pageant brings together 11 contestants who originally hail from a half dozen countries worldwide, although all are currently resident in Ireland. Also exhibiting on the night is the London-based couture designer Ade Bakare who is of Nigerian extraction. “I’m thrilled to be here for the second year in a row,” says Ade. “We’re staying for the weekend so this time we’ll get to see some of the city.”

Musical treats are provided throughout the night by African band Soukous, but it’s really the girls we’re here to cheer on.

Judith Mpacko has been resident in Ireland since leaving her native Cameroon two years ago. “I study business in Griffith College,” she says,”but I may return to Cameroon when I graduate, unless someone offers me a great job here. I really enjoy living in Ireland except for the weather. I’m wary that Irish people may not accept me so it’s difficult to approach people, but I live with two Irish girls so I’ve got some Irish friends. I entered the pageant just for fun, I don’t really care if I win, It’s just a laugh and a chance to dress up; normally I wear jeans. But I’m crossing my fingers! ”

“I’m so excited just to take part, but I was nervous during the swimwear section” says Kate Charmain who comes from Kenya. “It was almost like being naked! The traditional wear section was much better. I’ve lived here for two years and I’m doing my leaving Cert. I’d like to be a lawyer. I came here with my parents who came here because it was a religious country, and I love it. I’d never seen a white person in real life before I came here. My friends are nice but strangers can be ignorant and say mean things. It can be embarrassing and annoying but I don’t have the right to fight them. So I just forgive and forget them.”

Jennifer Oni is a fourth-year legal studies student from Nigeria via London. “ I wanted to take part in the pageant because it looked like fun and I’ve always wanted to be a model,” she confesses. “It was a chance to see what that would be like. And also a chance to wear the kind of clothes I wear in Nigeria. I can’t wear them here because of the weather. At the weekends I go to Mau Mau at Temple Theatre or The PoD ’cos I like R’n’B.”

At the end of a long and fun-filled night during which your corrospondent falls in love with at least half of the 11 contestants, Kenya’s Leah Flynn is declared the overall winner. In true supermodel style, she was too busy celebrating to grant us an interview.

Watch out, Naomi.