“I Believe Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu Will Become Nigeria’s First Elected Female Gov” — Ben Bruce

Former senator and businessman, Ben Murray-Bruce, has lavished praise on Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, declaring that her rise in public service is only the beginning of what he believes will become a historic political journey to becoming Nigeria’s first elected female governor.

Reflecting on Bianca’s journey from the global beauty stage to the pinnacle of Nigeria’s diplomatic establishment, Murray-Bruce said he had witnessed firsthand, long before her diplomatic and ministerial appointments, the qualities that set her apart.

“Long before Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu became Ambassador, Minister, and now Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, I had the privilege of accompanying her around the world as she represented our country on the global beauty stage,” he said.

According to him, Bianca was not only celebrated for her exceptional beauty during her reign as Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria and Miss Intercontinental, but also for the deeper qualities that distinguished her even then.

“In those years, she was without exaggeration one of the most beautiful women on earth,” he stated.

Adding, “Also the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, Miss Intercontinental — a face that carried Nigeria’s elegance into every room she entered.

“But what I saw then was not just beauty. It was poise. Intelligence. Grace under pressure. The unmistakable presence of a woman destined to serve.”

Murray-Bruce noted that Bianca’s years in public office have only strengthened his long-held conviction about her capacity for leadership.

“The years have only confirmed it,” he insisted, elaborating “From her distinguished service as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain and to Italy, to her tenure as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca has carried herself with the same dignity that defined her on the world stage decades ago; except now, the stage is diplomacy, and the audience is the entire international community.”

He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as an inspired choice in appointing Bianca to lead Nigeria’s foreign affairs portfolio.

“Today, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has elevated her to Minister of Foreign Affairs. Congratulations, Mr. President, on a truly excellent appointment,” the former Senator declared, while also asserting  “Nigeria’s foreign policy is in safe, capable, and elegant hands.”

In what may become one of his boldest political predictions yet, Murray-Bruce expressed confidence that Bianca’s political future could break one of Nigeria’s biggest democratic glass ceilings.

“And I will say this without hesitation: I believe Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu will, in time, become the first elected female governor in Nigeria’s history,”, he declared and emphasised “The trajectory is unmistakable. The country will be the better for it.”

Ending on a deeply personal note, he sent a powerful message to the former beauty queen turned diplomat, underscoring what he sees as her evolving influence on national and global affairs.

“To my dear sister Bianca, the world has always looked up to you,” Bruce stated, adding “Now it must listen to you.”