Being a former Miss Nigeria still opens doors for me – Binta Sukai
Weekend Magazine: You have been off the entertainment radar in Nigeria for a while now. What have you been up to?Binta Sukai: I have been very busy with some projects I am involved with that entails a lot of travelling within and outside the country. I have also never really been a social butterfly. I […]
Weekend Magazine: You have been off the entertainment radar in Nigeria for a while now. What have you been up to?
Binta Sukai: I have been very busy with some projects I am involved with that entails a lot of travelling within and outside the country. I have also never really been a social butterfly. I love my privacy and precious time spent with my little princess.
WM: You were the first lady from the north to win the Miss Nigeria crown. What was it like? What were some of the challenges?
Sukai: When I contested for Miss Nigeria in 1990, little did I know that I would be making history as the first lady from the north to win the title. I merely entered it to pass the time while on vacation in Nigeria. I never encountered any challenges during or after my reign. It was a glorious and eventful experience full of beautiful memories.
WM: How supportive were your parents back then?
Sukai: Well, my father was not too keen at first because he wasn’t consulted prior to my entering the contest, so I guess it was a big shock for him to see me in the papers as one of the contestants for the Miss Nigeria 1990 title. My mum on the on the other hand was a little liberal.
WM: Being a northerner, what was the pressure like when you contested? Did you practice for the competition?
Sukai: There was no pressure at all. I entered the contest at the last minute without any preparation, as contestant No.10, who happened to be from Kaduna State and the rest is history.
WM: How would you compare the competition back in your days to what we have today?
Sukai: There are just so many pageants springing up all over the place today. Too numerous to mention! I guess presently, pageantry has become a form of entertainment. This is not to say most of them are just pure entertainment. Majority of them today still have relevance in our society but like I earlier said most are just for entertainment.
WM: Who were your role models back then?
Sukai: I didn’t really have any beauty queens as role models back then as I knew nothing about the Miss Nigeria pageant when I plunged into it. It was during my reign that I began to familiarise myself with the history of the pageant and the queens before me.
WM: Most ladies from the north are faced with cultural barriers in pursuing their dreams. What is your opinion about this?
Sukai: Yes, we have socio-cultural challenges in the north but the same applies to Nigeria as a whole. Thankfully, we have a First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who is very understanding and sympathetic to the plight of the Nigerian woman and has initiated a crusade for the empowerment of our womenfolk in the country. Women in the north and all over have a lot to offer if given the right support and encouragement.
WM: Many expected you would set up an organisation to train young ladies. Why are you yet to set up one?
Sukai: I am involved in quite a handful of projects that have really taken up pretty much of my time to want to begin to concentrate on my own agenda. I am going through a learning process presently with a lot of the work I am doing and at the appropriate time, I will launch my own project. By then all my energy and time will be invested there and only there until retirement.
WM: You are a mother now. What has motherhood changed about you?
Sukai: It has definitely brought me closer to God. I’d say that I am a lot happier, more grounded and more focused now.
WM: After many years of your reign you still look fabulous. Tell us your secret.
Sukai: The secret is contentment. I am very happy where I am at now in my life and I have peace of mind.
WM: It is the era where many personalities are going into politics. Do we see you joining politics soon?
Sukai: Politics! Never say never! You never know, an avenue to serve my country in any capacity is a very welcoming idea. It would be good to give back to my country.
WM: Does being Miss Nigeria back in the days still open doors for you today?
Sukai: Most certainly. Both here and abroad, it still does. When I mention my name people ask ‘the Binta Sukai of Miss Nigeria’ and they are glad they have come in contact with me. So, yes being (a former) Miss Nigeria still opens doors for me.
WM: You studied fashion. Do we see you launching your fashion line soon?
Sukai: Yes, I did study Fashion History and Marketing after my A levels and my interest in it still remains strong. I already have a fashion line but not in Nigeria, but hoping to open soon in Nigeria.
WM: If you could change one thing about your past what would it be?
Sukai: It would be absolutely nothing. I believe that life is a lesson. You live and learn. If you make a mistake, you learn from it and move on. I will live my life over and over again.
WM: Describe Binta Sukai in three words.
Sukai: Three words to describe myself? It would be sincere, honest and dependable.
WM: Advice to young ladies?
Sukai: My advice to aspiring young ladies is for them to face their education. There is nothing like it ladies. It will empower you tomorrow. Education is key in everything we need to do in our society and ourselves.