Our Girl Chidinma and the Resolute Resolve of the Murray Bruce Brothers

After Ibiagbanidokibubo Asenite Darego, (Agbani Darego), then 19 years old won the Ms World title in 2001, I had the opportunity to interview Guy Murray Bruce for an edition of the then-Chris Anyanwu-produced The SundayShow. It was at Silverbird’s office (I believe) at Domino Stores at Sabo Yaba.  

 Before she went for the competition, not many people had paid her any attention, but with the win, Agbani, a graduate of computer science and Mathematics, did not only put Nigeria on the spotlight and in a positive way, but she also became famous in her own right. By that time, Silverbird, I believe, had been on the quest for the beauty title for 15 years.

Sitting across Guy Murray Bruce in that store owned by his family, I asked him one question: ‘You have been on this for fifteen years, not getting the title, yet you continued. What made you to keep going?’

 Mr Bruce’s answer has stayed with me decades after, and today, as Nigeria, and indeed, Africa rejoice over Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina’s triumph as second runner-up at the Ms Universe pageant, and Ms Universe Africa and Oceania, again, courtesy of  the incredible talent-spotting trait of the Silverbird Group, I wish to use it to pay tribute to the resolute resolve of Guy Murray Bruce, his brother/founder of Silverbird Group, @benmurraybruce and their staff, who have at different times, used their showbiz empire to showcase and bring honour to Nigeria, all the while, trusting God that it is doable.

Guy Murray Bruce’s response, which I have often used as words of encouragement to people despairing was ‘I believe that if you work hard and trust God, it’s only a matter of time, but He will never let you down.’ Incredible power of trust, spirituality, and hardwork, coming together for impact.

 Chidimma so wanted to be crowned a beauty queen. She was on the verge of becoming one in South Africa, a place she was born in and called home, but was bullied out of the contest due to allegations of identity fraud against her mother. She had to withdraw from the competition.

 Then, stepped in @GuyMurrayBruce with an invitation to Chidimma to participate in the Nigeria version of the Ms Universe contest. Eager to actualise her dream, and sure of what she’s got, Chidimma accepted, came back ‘home’ to Nigeria, represented Taraba State in the contest and emerged Ms Universe Nigeria, under which title she went to Mexico for the finals and from a sea of 126 very beautiful and some very talented young women, she was adjudged the second most beautiful woman in the world, and the most beautiful in Africa (including South Africa) and Oceania (14 countries that include Australia, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Micronesia, Samoa and Papua New Guinea among others)

Chidimma was down but she kept working hard, the big trophy eluded Silverbird after Agbani’s win, but the Group kept working and apparently continued to trust God.

Indeed, if you work hard and trust God, He will NEVER let you down. That also speaks to my deep-rooted Catholic Christian conviction.
Congratulations @chichi_vanessaa Congratulations @mbgn_silverbird