Bayelsa Governor Backs Miss Nigeria 2026 for World Crown

Agorehmi Bright, Reporting 

BAYELSA State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has thrown his administration’s full support behind Miss World Nigeria 2026, Tamunosoye Karibi-George, expressing confidence that Nigeria stands a strong chance of producing another Miss World.

The Governor made the declaration on Tuesday when the beauty queen and her delegation paid a courtesy visit to Government House in Yenagoa. He commended Karibi-George for making the state proud after she represented Bayelsa in the national pageant and assured her of his government’s backing as she prepares to contest this year’s Miss World competition in Vietnam.

Senator Diri praised the queen’s efforts in promoting the culture, traditions and environment of the Niger Delta on the national stage. He was particularly impressed by the costume she wore during the pageant, noting that it authentically reflected her identity and environment as an Ijaw woman from the region.

Addressing the social media debates surrounding her state of origin, the Governor declared unequivocally that Karibi-George is an Ijaw daughter from both Bayelsa and Rivers states, stressing that there is no discrimination since people from both states are one and the same.

“Listening to her today and what I have also seen in the media space, clearly she is not just beautiful in outlook but she is indeed a beauty with brains,” Senator Diri said. “I urge you not to be carried away by your success; this is the beginning of greater things to come, and your future will be brighter than today.”

He added: “Today, you are Miss Nigeria. We are looking forward for you to become another Agbani Darego. As a government, we will support you, especially in your pursuit for the Miss World crown.”

The Governor also applauded her parents for giving the beauty queen a proper upbringing, remarking: “It is not enough to give birth to children; parents should try to bring them up well like Tamunosoye.”

Earlier, the President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Comrade Jonathan Lokpobiri, described Karibi-George as the “Amazon of the Mangrove Forest.” He and the team lead, Prince Iwefa Aganaba, explained that the visit was to formally present her crown to the Governor in recognition of his position as the governor general of the Ijaw nation, and to solicit his support for her Miss World campaign.

“On behalf of the Ijaw Youth Council, the essence of our visit is to present this crown to you as the governor general of the Ijaw nation before we take it to anywhere else,” Lokpobiri stated.

In her remarks, Miss Tamunosoye Karibi-George said she entered the contest with the desire to have a platform to represent her roots on the national stage, depicting beauty, culture and grace. She expressed pride in having carried the flag of the Ijaw nation to Nigeria and emerging victorious.

The beauty queen, who cited former Miss World 2001 Agbani Darego as her inspiration, also briefed the Governor on her initiative tagged “Beyond Labels.” The project advocates for awareness, education and inclusivity, particularly for children with special needs and those affected by societal labels and stereotypes.

“Such children see their disabilities first rather than their potential,” she said, “but I believe that given the opportunity, they can thrive on the global stage.”