Toyin Raji
Born
Toyin Enitan Raji[1]
OccupationSystems Analyst
Children1
Beauty pageant titleholder
TitleMost Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 1995
Hair colorBrown
Eye colorBrown
Major
competition(s)		Miss Universe 1995
(Miss Congeniality)

Miss World 1995


(Miss Personality)

Toyin Enitan Raji Listenⓘ (born c. 1972) is a Nigerian former actress and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 1995[2] and represented her country at the Miss Universe 1995 pageant in Windoek Namibia and at the Miss World 1995 pageant held in Sun City South African.Raji distinguished herself as Nigeria’s representative at the 1995 Miss Universe pageant in Namibia, finishing in 11th place. Miss South Africa had finished in 10th to deny Raji the chance of becoming Nigeria’s first Miss Universe semi–finalist, although she was awarded the "Miss Cogeniality" prize. The irony became more glaring later in 1995 when Raji went to South Africa for the Miss World contest. A huge favourite for the crown, Raji was prevented from participating following political controversy over Sani Abacha’s decision to execute nine dissidents. However, she was awarded the "Miss Personality" prize.

After appearing in a few Nollywood movies, Raji relocated to the US where she now lives with her daughter and husband. [3]

Miss Universe 1995

As the official representative of Nigeria to the Miss Universe 1995 pageant, broadcast live from Windhoek, Namibia on 12 May 1995, Raji placed 11th overall in the preliminary competition, 7th in a preliminary interview, and 12th in a swimsuit, barely missing the semi-finals by five-hundredths of a point.

Augustine Masilela of South Africa made the cut in 10th place, denying Raji the chance of becoming Nigeria's first Miss Universe semi-finalist. Nonetheless, Raji received the Congeniality award, voted by her fellow contestants.[1]

Miss World 1995

A few months later, Raji participated in the Miss World 1995 pageant, held in Sun City, South Africa on 18 November 1995. She was pressured to withdraw by South African authorities following political controversy over de facto Nigerian president Sani Abacha's decision to execute nine dissidents.[4] Toyin still went on to win the Miss Personality award

Personal life

After appearing in several Nollywood movies and Sunny Ade's Ololufe video,[5] Raji relocated to Texas,[6] completed her education and currently works in IT.[7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Miss Universe crown goes to Texas student". The Advocate. 14 May 1995. Retrieved 25 November 2010. Miss Nigeria, Toyin Enitan Raji, won Miss Congeniality.
  2. ↑ Nollywood reporter (17 July 2013). "Beauty of the day: Former beauty queen, Toyin Raji". Nollywood Magazine. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  3. ↑ "Motherhood has been pure perfection for me –Toyin Raji". Heartminders. Nigeria. 14 October 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  4. ↑ "Miss Nigeria drops out of Miss World Pageant amid protest against government". JET (4 Dec 1995). 4 December 1995. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
  5. ↑ "Actresses with love kids". Daily Sun. 5 March 2006. Archived from the original on 23 June 2007. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
  6. ↑ "Toyin Raji". Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
  7. ↑ Motherhood has been pure perfection for me –Toyin Raji Archived 9 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine

Official website

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