Agbani Darego's (Miss World 2001) Father, Chief Asenite Darego Buried

Late chief Asenite Sikibo Darego died at the Meridian Hospital, D/line Port-Harcourt (and not in London as earlier broadcast by a lot of media houses) and was buried on the 24th of March 2012 in his hometown,  Abonnema in Rivers state.

A highly decorated Customs officer before his retirement, he was not just known for his part in the birthing of the first ever African Miss World, Agbani Darego 2001 but was honoured in  1979 by being awarded the "First Class of the Federal Republic Medal" for his part in foiling a smuggling attempt of jewelry from Nigeria.

Family Life


Chief has been described by different members of his extended family as a father. when asked to expatiate he was described as someone never too busy to listen and always willing to lend a helping hand.

A Traditional Burial


According to Chief Ibifri Briggs, from the Briggs compound.who gave us a run down on what to expect on such an occasion.

There are four major family compounds that make up the town. Bob - Manuel (Owukori), Briggs (Oruwari), Georgewill (Otagi) and Jack (Iju). The Darego Family belong to the Jack compound.

Due to his status as a Chief, a boat regatta is displayed by representatives of all four compounds, this is done as a mark of respect.

The Darego females. Notice Agbani as the slimmest and tallest of the lot. 

The pall bearers dancing in celebration of a life well spent as they carry the corpse.

The Amayanabo (King) of Abonnema

The body is first received by the kins men at the palace, this is the palace of His Royal Highness D'isreal Bobo Bobmanuel the 2nd - The Amayanabo of Abonnema via a procession of chiefs and members of the  Darego family. 

Ms Beauty Ebenezer, a family friend of the Darego family and former colleague of the late chief gave us an insight as to the change of clothes of the family members.

She explained that the beads are worn during ceremonies; marriage, burial etc. when it comes to burial especially when it comes to viewing the corpse, any body dressed in heavy beads are directly related to the dead person. In Chiefs case his brother and sisters' children and close cousins must be dressed in the beads, his children will come in last.

It is customary that close members of family of the deceased are dressed richly as a mark of honour and a celebration of a life well spent. 

Agbani Darego (Miss World 2001) and one of her sisters in full traditional costume