Regina Askia
Encyclopedia
Regina Askia-Williams - also known as Regina Askia - is a Nigerian born, American-based nurse who found fame as an actress, model, television producer and educational activist.
In 1988, Askia-Williams - a former Medical student who had transferred from the University of Calabar
to the University of Lagos
- was crowned Miss Unilag
. In 1989 she placed second in Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria
, but became titleholder the following year when winner Bianca Onoh
resigned. In 1990, Askia-Williams represented Nigeria at Miss Charm International held in Leningrad
, Russia
, and came second. She also made history by becoming the first Nigerian at Miss International
in Japan
, where she made an impact with the most outstanding traditional costume.
As a model, Askia-Williams has featured in several Nigerian print and television commercials including Kessingsheen Hair Care, boutique chain Collectibles, and most famously, Visine
. She also worked on several runway
shows, and most recently she has modelled for the 2000-N-Six face cleansing range alongside her daughter. In 2005 she hosted a fashion show at the Nigerian Embassy in New York City to raise awareness for the plight of children's social amenities in Nigeria, and in 2006, she hosted a charity fashion show at Lehman College in the Bronx, New York
, which displayed the creations of top African designers and her own label Regine Fashions.
Askia-Williams's acting break was in 1993, when she played gold-digger Tokunbo Johnson in Nigerian soap Fortunes (later Mega Fortunes) on NTA Network
, a role which earned her critical acclaim and roles in Nollywood movies. She has received several awards for her performances - including one for "Best Actress in Nigeria" by Afro Hollywood London in 2000 - and has produced several television shows and films.
Askia-Williams is married to American Rudolph 'Rudy' Williams, nephew of Ron Everette and grandson of Fess Williams
; together the couple have two children - daughter Teesa Olympia and son Rudolph Junior. Askia-Williams's other daughter, model Stephanie Hornecker, is from a previous relationship. A graduate of the University of Lagos
with a degree in Biology
, and recently a Registered Nurse, Askia-Williams still works on promoting greater collaboration between Africa and its diaspora with her fashion shows as well as medical missions to Africa. She currently lives in America
with her family, and is now a registered Nurse practicing in New York City
.
In 1988, Askia-Williams - a former Medical student who had transferred from the University of Calabar
University of Calabar
The University of Calabar - also known as UNICAL - is a university situated in Calabar, Cross River State, southeastern Nigeria. It is one of Nigerian's second generation universities. The University of Calabar was a campus of the University of Nigeria until 1975...
to the University of Lagos
University of Lagos
The University of Lagos - popularly known as Unilag - is a federal government university with a main campus located at Akoka, Yaba and a college of medicine located at Idi-Araba, all in Lagos, Lagos State, southern Nigeria...
- was crowned Miss Unilag
University of Lagos
The University of Lagos - popularly known as Unilag - is a federal government university with a main campus located at Akoka, Yaba and a college of medicine located at Idi-Araba, all in Lagos, Lagos State, southern Nigeria...
. In 1989 she placed second in Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria
Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria
The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant originally began as Miss Universe Nigeria in 1983, and was created by Silverbird Group. It was later re-named Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria in 1986. Winners represent Nigeria in Miss World and, until recently, Miss Universe – currently, only the...
, but became titleholder the following year when winner Bianca Onoh
Bianca Onoh
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu is a Nigerian businesswoman, former lawyer, and government official, recently appointed as Nigeria's Special Assistant on Diaspora Affairs . -Pageants:...
resigned. In 1990, Askia-Williams represented Nigeria at Miss Charm International held in Leningrad
Leningrad
Leningrad is the former name of Saint Petersburg, Russia.Leningrad may also refer to:- Places :* Leningrad Oblast, a federal subject of Russia, around Saint Petersburg* Leningrad, Tajikistan, capital of Muminobod district in Khatlon Province...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, and came second. She also made history by becoming the first Nigerian at Miss International
Miss International
Miss International is an annual international beauty pageant held since 1960.The current Miss International is Fernanda Cornejo, from Ecuador...
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, where she made an impact with the most outstanding traditional costume.
As a model, Askia-Williams has featured in several Nigerian print and television commercials including Kessingsheen Hair Care, boutique chain Collectibles, and most famously, Visine
Visine
Visine is a brand of eye drops produced by Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson acquired Visine, along with Pfizer's entire consumer healthcare portfolio, in December 2006.-Visine Original:...
. She also worked on several runway
Runway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
shows, and most recently she has modelled for the 2000-N-Six face cleansing range alongside her daughter. In 2005 she hosted a fashion show at the Nigerian Embassy in New York City to raise awareness for the plight of children's social amenities in Nigeria, and in 2006, she hosted a charity fashion show at Lehman College in the Bronx, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, which displayed the creations of top African designers and her own label Regine Fashions.
Askia-Williams's acting break was in 1993, when she played gold-digger Tokunbo Johnson in Nigerian soap Fortunes (later Mega Fortunes) on NTA Network
Nigerian Television Authority
The Nigerian Television Authority - also known as NTA - was inaugurated in 1977 and is the government-owned body in charge of television broadcasting in the country. The NTA claims to run the biggest television network in Africa with stations in several parts of Nigeria...
, a role which earned her critical acclaim and roles in Nollywood movies. She has received several awards for her performances - including one for "Best Actress in Nigeria" by Afro Hollywood London in 2000 - and has produced several television shows and films.
Askia-Williams is married to American Rudolph 'Rudy' Williams, nephew of Ron Everette and grandson of Fess Williams
Fess Williams
Stanley Williams was an American jazz musician.-Early life:...
; together the couple have two children - daughter Teesa Olympia and son Rudolph Junior. Askia-Williams's other daughter, model Stephanie Hornecker, is from a previous relationship. A graduate of the University of Lagos
University of Lagos
The University of Lagos - popularly known as Unilag - is a federal government university with a main campus located at Akoka, Yaba and a college of medicine located at Idi-Araba, all in Lagos, Lagos State, southern Nigeria...
with a degree in Biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
, and recently a Registered Nurse, Askia-Williams still works on promoting greater collaboration between Africa and its diaspora with her fashion shows as well as medical missions to Africa. She currently lives in America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with her family, and is now a registered Nurse practicing in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.