{{Short description|Nigerian-Irish scientist and Miss Ireland 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=September 2021}} {{Infobox pageant titleholder | name = Pamela Uba | birth_date = 28 November 1995 | birth_place = South Africa | occupation = Scientist, model, [[Miss Ireland]] | title = [[Miss Ireland|Miss Ireland 2021]] | known_for = first [[black people|black woman]] chosen to represent Ireland for the [[Miss World|Miss World 2022]] competition|competitions=[[Miss Ireland|Miss Ireland 2021]]<br>(Winner)<br>[[Miss World 2021]]<br>(Top 40)|image=|caption=Uba in 2021}}
'''Pamela Uba''' is a Nigerian-Irish scientist, model and beauty pageant titleholder. She grew up in [[Ballyhaunis]], County Mayo.<ref name="PamelaUbaBallyhaunisConnaughtTelegraph">{{cite web |url= https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2021/09/08/three-mayo-misses-crowned-with-glory-at-miss-ireland-2021/ |title= Three Mayo Misses crowned with glory at Miss World Ireland 2021 |author= |date= 9 September 2021 |work= [[The Connaught Telegraph]] |accessdate= 9 September 2021 }}</ref><ref name="auto4">{{Cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/pamela-uba-first-black-miss-ireland-reveals-shes-suffered-racism-and-bullying-since-win-12403312|title=Pamela Uba: First black Miss World Ireland reveals she's suffered racism and bullying since win|website=Sky News|first=Stephen|last=Murphy|date=9 September 2021|accessdate=27 November 2021}}</ref> As [[Miss Ireland]] 2021, she was selected to represent Ireland in the [[Miss World 2021|Miss World 2022]] [[beauty pageant]].<ref name="auto2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/frontline-worker-and-former-direct-provision-resident-pamela-is-first-black-miss-ireland-40824191.html|title=Frontline worker and former direct provision resident Pamela is first black Miss Ireland|newspaper=Irish Independent|first=Ciara|last=O'Loughlin|date=7 September 2021|accessdate=27 November 2021}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40410239.html|title=From direct provision to frontline worker to Miss Ireland: Pamela Uba is a role model for all|first=Michelle|last=McGlynn|date=7 September 2021|website=Irish Examiner}}</ref> Uba is the first [[black people|black woman]] to win the Miss Ireland competition and represent Ireland for the Miss World competition.
==Background== Pamela Uba was born in 1995 in [[South Africa]] to [[Nigerians|Nigerian]] parents.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/people/arid-40554410.html|title=Miss Ireland Pamela Uba: 'The direct provision system needs to be revamped'|first=Martha|last=Brennan|date=9 September 2021|website=Irish Examiner}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/lifestyle/2021-09-12-pamela-uba-went-from-hillbrow-resident--to-miss-ireland/|title=Pamela Uba went from Hillbrow resident — to Miss Ireland|website=TimesLIVE}}</ref> She moved from [[Johannesburg]] to Ireland with her family as an [[asylum seeker]] when she was 8 years old.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/fashion-and-beauty/breaking-pam-uba-first-black-miss-ireland-sa-expat-photos/|title=From SA to Ireland: Pam Uba makes history as first black Miss Ireland|date=9 September 2021|website=The South African}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/pamela-uba-crowned-first-black-miss-ireland-in-pageants-history-2021-9|title=A Black woman was crowned Miss Ireland for the first time in the pageant's 74-year history|first=Maria|last=Noyen|website=Insider}}</ref> Uba spent 10 years in [[direct provision]]. She has since raised money for educational support for children in direct provision.<ref name="auto"/> Uba played [[Gaelic football]] as a centre back. She is a [[Gaelic Athletic Association]] fan, supporting her home county of Mayo.<ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/miss-ireland-2021-i-am-so-grateful-i-can-show-girls-that-colour-does-not-hold-you-back-1.4667158|title=Miss Ireland 2021: 'I am so grateful I can show girls that colour does not hold you back'|first=Róisín|last=Ingle|newspaper=The Irish Times}}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.her.ie/celeb/pamela-ashley-uba-says-winning-miss-ireland-dream-come-true-533540|title=Pamela Uba makes history as the first Black Miss Ireland|website=Her.ie|date=6 September 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newstalk.com/news/i-havent-come-back-down-to-earth-pamela-uba-crowned-first-black-miss-ireland-1248669|title=Pamela Uba, ex-direct provision resident, crowned first black Miss Ireland|first=Jack|last=Quann|website=Newstalk}}</ref> Singing is one of her passions and Uba has sung in numerous competitions including teen idol Dublin while recently recording two cover songs as part of her talent pieces for Miss World.
==Career== Uba earned her undergraduate degree in medical science at [[Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology]], before graduating with a [[Master's degree]] in [[clinical chemistry]] from [[Trinity College Dublin]].<ref name="auto4"/> She works as a medical scientist at [[University Hospital Galway]].<ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto"/>
==Modelling and pageantry== In 2019, Uba won the ''Ladies Day'' prize at the [[Galway Races]]. In 2021, Uba won the ''[[Miss Ireland]]'' title. The 26 year old Miss Galway claimed the national title ahead of 29 other contestants at the Miss Ireland final, which took place in Cavan. She was crowned by three former titleholders. Uba is the first [[black people|black woman]] to represent Ireland for the Miss World competition. After winning the Miss Ireland title Uba was "trollled and bullied online", but was also "overwhelmed with the support" of most people.<ref name=RTE2021-10-14a>{{cite web|last1=Okoh|first1=Joseph|title=History-making Miss Ireland proud to 'pave the way'|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2021/1013/1253565-history-making-miss-ireland/|publisher=[[RTE News]]|access-date=14 October 2021|date=14 October 2021|quote=}}</ref> Having herself grown up in direct provision, in October 2021 she became an ambassador for Dídean, "a social enterprise which provides alternative housing for residents in Direct Provision".<ref name=RTE2021-10-14a/> Uba works as a part-time model (as well as working as a medical scientist at University Hospital Galway).<ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto3"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.midwestradio.ie/index.php/news/50797-galway-s-pamela-uba-crowned-miss-ireland|title=Galway's Pamela Uba crowned Miss Ireland|website=Midwest Radio}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishpost.com/news/pamela-uba-crowned-first-ever-black-winner-of-miss-ireland-219576|title=First ever black winner of Miss Ireland has been crowned|first=Harry|last=Brent|website=The Irish Post}}</ref><ref name="auto4"/> Uba finished in the top 40 of the Miss World 2021 competition.
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links ==
{{S-start}} {{S-ach}} {{S-bef | before = Chelsea Farrell }} {{s-ttl | title = [[Miss Ireland]] | years = [[Miss Ireland|2021]] }} {{S-aft | after = [[Ivanna McMahon]] }} {{S-end}} {{Miss World 2021 delegates}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Uba, Pamela}} [[Category:1995 births]] [[Category:21st-century Irish women scientists]] [[Category:Alumni of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology]] [[Category:Alumni of Trinity College Dublin]] [[Category:Beauty pageant contestants from Ireland]] [[Category:Black Irish people]] [[Category:Irish female models]] [[Category:Irish people of Nigerian descent]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Miss Ireland winners]] [[Category:Miss World 2021 delegates]] [[Category:People from Ballyhaunis]] [[Category:Scientists from County Mayo]] [[Category:South African emigrants to Ireland]]