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CNN Live Sunday
Miss World Pageant Moves From Nigeria to London
Aired November 24, 2002 - 18:16 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: The writer of a newspaper article that sparked a deadly riot in Nigeria over the Miss World Pageant has resigned. Her comment in print that the Prophet Muhammad himself might want to marry one of the beauty contestants inflamed Muslims in Nigeria. More than 200 people died in riots that followed, and the Miss World Pageant hastily moved from Nigeria to London. CNN's Jeff Koinange reports on the aftermath.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The headline said it all: The show would go on but not in its intended city, Nigeria's capital, Abuja.
NICOLE GAZAL, MISS AUSTRALIA: I felt sorry for the Nigerian people. I think that it's a shame that such a small amount of people could cause so much havoc and, you know, unrest in the country. And I think, you know, in general, the Nigerian people supported the event. I believe that they did, from, you know, what I have received and, you know, what I have seen. The people have really loved us being here. And I think that it's sad that such a small group of people could push the pageant away.
KOINANGE: But push they did. And instead, beauty contestants from 93 countries, here for the Miss World contest, will have to fight it out in London, leaving Nigerians to fight their own fight at home.
Riots in the northern city of Kaduna (ph) had dealt a final blow to the pageant's chances of being held in Nigeria, despite assurances from the country's leadership.
PRES. OLDSEGUN OBASANJO, NIGERIA: I felt we did everything to welcome this in Nigeria.
KOINANGE: But the guests had had enough. Some left soon after Friday's riots threatened to spill into the nation's capital, leaving event organizers to move the venue or cancel the show altogether.
With scores dead and hundreds injured, contestants had a hard time coming to terms with the magnitude of the country's latest violence.
MARIANNE KARIUKI, MISS KENYA: Most of the girls thought it was their fault, and they thought that them being here caused the death of about 100 people, and 500 more injured. And we felt so guilty and we felt so bad. KOINANGE: And even before the winner was picked, many here already know who the real loser is.
BEN BRUCE, MISS WORLD SPOKESMAN: Without a doubt, Nigeria is the biggest loser, because when you look at it, we could not look (UNINTELLIGIBLE). It sends the wrong signal to the rest of the world.
KOINANGE: With pageant's contestant now heading towards their new venue, one of Africa's most troubled countries is left to pick up the pieces, while trying to mend its shattered image.
Jeff Koinange, CNN, Abuja, Nigeria.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired November 24, 2002 - 18:16 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: The writer of a newspaper article that sparked a deadly riot in Nigeria over the Miss World Pageant has resigned. Her comment in print that the Prophet Muhammad himself might want to marry one of the beauty contestants inflamed Muslims in Nigeria. More than 200 people died in riots that followed, and the Miss World Pageant hastily moved from Nigeria to London. CNN's Jeff Koinange reports on the aftermath.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The headline said it all: The show would go on but not in its intended city, Nigeria's capital, Abuja.
NICOLE GAZAL, MISS AUSTRALIA: I felt sorry for the Nigerian people. I think that it's a shame that such a small amount of people could cause so much havoc and, you know, unrest in the country. And I think, you know, in general, the Nigerian people supported the event. I believe that they did, from, you know, what I have received and, you know, what I have seen. The people have really loved us being here. And I think that it's sad that such a small group of people could push the pageant away.
KOINANGE: But push they did. And instead, beauty contestants from 93 countries, here for the Miss World contest, will have to fight it out in London, leaving Nigerians to fight their own fight at home.
Riots in the northern city of Kaduna (ph) had dealt a final blow to the pageant's chances of being held in Nigeria, despite assurances from the country's leadership.
PRES. OLDSEGUN OBASANJO, NIGERIA: I felt we did everything to welcome this in Nigeria.
KOINANGE: But the guests had had enough. Some left soon after Friday's riots threatened to spill into the nation's capital, leaving event organizers to move the venue or cancel the show altogether.
With scores dead and hundreds injured, contestants had a hard time coming to terms with the magnitude of the country's latest violence.
MARIANNE KARIUKI, MISS KENYA: Most of the girls thought it was their fault, and they thought that them being here caused the death of about 100 people, and 500 more injured. And we felt so guilty and we felt so bad. KOINANGE: And even before the winner was picked, many here already know who the real loser is.
BEN BRUCE, MISS WORLD SPOKESMAN: Without a doubt, Nigeria is the biggest loser, because when you look at it, we could not look (UNINTELLIGIBLE). It sends the wrong signal to the rest of the world.
KOINANGE: With pageant's contestant now heading towards their new venue, one of Africa's most troubled countries is left to pick up the pieces, while trying to mend its shattered image.
Jeff Koinange, CNN, Abuja, Nigeria.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
