Adeola Ariyo (Nokia Face of Africa 2005 finalist)

Nineteen-year-old Adeola Ariyo from Lagos in Nigeria says she was ecstatic when it was announced that she was a semi-finalist for the Nokia Face of Africa 2005. ''The first person I told was my father, '' says the 1.73m tall student.

Proud of her heritage Adeola, who speaks both English and Yoruba, says Nigerians know how to have a good time and that the country has a lot of different places to visit. Given the chance Adeola would like to see Zimbabwe though she has already traveled quite a lot making stops in Ghana, Togo and the United Kingdom.

A true design fundi, Adeola loves Gucci and Ferragamo and says her best fashion item is….you guessed it…shoes! She would love to model in Paris and says she entered the Nokia Face of Africa 2005 ''for the experience and to feel what it’s like to be recognized. To have fun and at the same time learn a lot more about the fashion world.''

What are Adeola’s favourite things…the color sky blue, African and Chinese food, the soap Eastenders and the music of Faith Evans, Aaliyah and Usher. Meanwhile Adeola also describes herself as athletic and say she plays the clarinet.

Wow, am impressed. I'll support her all the way.

@ Chewwy, I may be wrong but, there was a brother and sister I used to know growing up in the UK. Adeola (or was it Arinola) and Wale. I used to live in the Oval in South london and a local lady used to look after them. I'm not sure if they were adopted or fostered though, I lost contact with them.

It would be very spooky if its the same people.

Yes its funny, the Wale I knew was also older than his sister, but they were close in age. I think their mother would occasionally come to England from Nigeria, so I don't know if they were adopted later.


Do you know their primary school name?
Good luck !!!!

her full name was DEFINETLY Adeola Mary Afonja and 'Afonja' is actually a royal name, so I think we are all talking about the same person