Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa has said Nigeria could produce another Miss World winner through Miss World Nigeria 2026, Tamunosoye Karibi-George.
He made the remark on Tuesday when the beauty queen and her delegation visited him at Government House, Yenagoa.
Diri described Karibi-George as a beauty with intellect, saying she had already made Bayelsa State proud.
He assured her of government support ahead of the Miss World competition in Vietnam.
The governor said her participation had promoted Niger Delta culture, traditions, and environment globally.
He noted that her pageant costume reflected the identity and heritage of the Ijaw people.
Diri also commended her parents for giving her proper upbringing and moral grounding.
He urged her not to be distracted by her early success.
“This is the beginning of greater things to come and your future will be brighter than today,” he said.
He added that Nigeria could witness another Agbani Darego moment through her.
“We are looking forward for you to become another Agbani Darego,” Diri stated.
The governor also addressed online debates over her state of origin.
He said she is an Ijaw daughter from both Bayelsa and Rivers states.
According to him, people from both states share a common identity and heritage.
“She is not just our daughter but also the daughter of Nigeria,” he said.
He added that Ijaw people across Bayelsa, Rivers, and Delta are one family.
President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Comrade Jonathan Lokpobiri, described her as “Amazon of the Mangrove Forest.”
He said the visit was to formally present her crown to Governor Diri.
He referred to Diri as the “Governor-General of the Ijaw nation.”
The delegation also sought state support for her Miss World campaign.
Karibi-George said she entered the competition to represent her cultural roots.
She said her platform promotes beauty, culture, and inclusivity on a global stage.
She also highlighted her initiative “Beyond Labels.”
The project focuses on awareness and inclusion for children with special needs.
She said such children should see their potential, not their limitations.
“With opportunity, they can thrive on the global stage,” she said.
