NIGERIANS on Wednesday gave a rousing welcome to the 2001 Miss World, their compatriot Agbani Darego, shortly after she arrived at the Abuja international airport. Her reception in the presidential wing of the airport was transmitted live on national television. Women ministers in President Olusegun Obasanjo’s cabinet, including the minister of women’s affairs, Aishat Ismail, as well as the president of the National Council for Women Societies, Ketebu Nwa-Okafor, were present at the reception. “We are very proud of you Agbani Darego. She is actually beautiful. We are very happy to welcome you back home,” Ismail stated. “She has changed the image of Nigeria … and, I pray, for good,” she added, warning journalists against unfavourable publicity. Darego (18) a university student, who won the award on November 17 at the Sun City resort in South Africa, has promised to promote the welfare of children and African culture. – AFP