NIGERIAN:NIGERIAN MODELS SEEK OPPORTUNITIES AT HOME TO ESCAPE EXPLOTATION OVERSEAS .WATCH THIS REUTERS INTERVIEW OF JOAN OKORODUDU ORIGINATOR OF NIGERIA'S NEXT SUPER MODEL IN 2007 ON ITN UK.

NIGERIA: Nigerian models seek opportunities at home to escape exploitation overseas

Viewers from all over Nigeria will chose the country's next top model on Saturday (September 15) in a contest modelled after the hit US show 'America's Next Supermodel'. It's being organised by Joan Okorodudu, a former Miss Nigeria. The former beauty queen is spearheading a drive to keep Nigerian modelling talent at home. Nigeria's most famous model is Oluchi Onweagba, who shot to fame after winning the 1998 M-Net 'Face of Africa' contest and a three-year modelling contract with Elite Models Management. Many young women in Nigeria are hoping to emulate her success on the international modelling circuit. "The motivation behind this competition is that, even though, I am looking forward to having another Oluchi, I am also looking forward to us having the credit of keeping models in Africa and then they can work anywhere in Africa or anywhere in the world but still live in their home country. And just do as the Europeans are doing. You don't have to leave the shores of Nigeria to be a great model. You can work in Nigeria, live in Nigeria, and go anywhere in the world and make your living," Okorodudu said. Okorodudu says she's also trying to stop the growing the number of Nigerian girls lured by lucrative modelling deals overseas only to end up as prostitutes in European capitals. Human rights groups say Italy for instance, has the highest number of Nigeria teenagers working as prostitutes in Europe. Okorodudu is well aware that it will take many years to change things in the local fashion industry. "It is not about the money, it is about the passion that I have, so I know that originating this Nigeria's Next Super Model is not just doing it. I want it to be a long life thing and the fact that some of my sponsors are actually looking at doing it for years. The Nationals Sports Lottery has announced they will do it for ten years and all my other sponsors are looking at doing it for another five to ten years, which is a good thing. And they have realised that this is a passion and not a drive for money." The winner of Saturday's contest will walk away with a brand new car, a modelling contract with an international fashion house and other prizes. Read less

Viewers from all over Nigeria will chose the country's next top model on Saturday (September 15) in a contest modelled after the hit US show 'America's Next Supermodel'. It's being organised by Joan Okorodudu, a former Miss Nigeria. The former beauty queen is spearheading a drive to keep Nigerian modelling talent at home. Nigeria's most famous model is Oluchi Onweagba, who shot to fame after winning the 1998 M-Net 'Face of Africa' contest and a three-year modelling contract with Elite Models Man... Read more

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Category:	Fashion Lifestyle
Reference:	13877/07
Tape:	12482
Timecode:	15:03:56:11 - 15:06:54:22
Duration:	00:02:58:11
Sound:	NATURAL WITH ENGLISH SPEECH
Copyright:	GRAPHIC
Feed:	News
Syndication:	AFRICADAILY1-SEP17-NIGERIA-MODELS AFRICADAILY1: STORY A047
Restrictions:	NONE
Note:	Tape timecodes are in use for this item
LegacyConverted:	0
Source:	DAM

18 September 2007
Ref: RTV1387707
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(AD1) LAGOS, NIGERIA (SEPTEMBER 15, 2007) (REUTERS) MODELS PRACTISING MODELS POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS VARIOUS OF MODELS AT PHOTO SHOT...

(AD1) LAGOS, NIGERIA (SEPTEMBER 15, 2007) (REUTERS) MODELS PRACTISING MODELS POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS VARIOUS OF MODELS AT PHOTO SHOT

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JOAN OKORODUDU, CONTEST ORGANISER AND FORMER MISS NIGERIA TALKING TO THE MODELS (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER MISS NIGERIA, JOAN OKORODUDU, SAYING: "The motivation behind this competition is that, even though, I am looking forward to having another Oluchi, I am also looking forward to us having the credit of keeping models in Africa and then they can work anywhere in Africa or anywhere in the world but still live in their home country. And just do as the Europeans are doing. You don't have to leave the shores of Nigeria to be a great model. You can work in Nigeria, live in Nigeria, and go anywhere in the world and make your living." VARIOUS OF MODELS (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER MISS NIGERIA, JOAN OKORODUDU, SAYING: "It is not about the money, it is about the passion that I have, so I know that originating this Nigeria's Next Super Model is not just doing it. I want it to be a long life thing and the fact that some of my sponsors are actually looking at doing it for years. The National...
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JOAN OKORODUDU, CONTEST ORGANISER AND FORMER MISS NIGERIA TALKING TO THE MODELS (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER MISS NIGERIA, JOAN OKORODUDU, SAYING: "The motivation behind this competition is that, even though, I am looking forward to having another Oluchi, I am also looking forward to us having the credit of keeping models in Africa and then they can work anywhere in Africa or anywhere in the world but still live in their home country. And just do as the Europeans are doing. You don't have to leave the shores of Nigeria to be a great model. You can work in Nigeria, live in Nigeria, and go anywhere in the world and make your living." VARIOUS OF MODELS (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER MISS NIGERIA, JOAN OKORODUDU, SAYING: "It is not about the money, it is about the passion that I have, so I know that originating this Nigeria's Next Super Model is not just doing it. I want it to be a long life thing and the fact that some of my sponsors are actually looking at doing it for years. The Nationals Sports Lottery has announced they will do it for ten years and all my other sponsors are looking at doing it for another five to ten years, which is a good thing. And they have realised that this is a passion and not a drive for money."
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