Former beauty queen speaks… ‘Miss Nigeria is just a title’
How old were you when you won the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant in 1985? I was over 20; In fact I celebrated my 21st birthday as Miss Nigeria in Lagos. I actually qualified for the finals after contesting as Miss Bendel, even though I hail from Esu local government area in Imo State. How did […]
How old were you when you won the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant in 1985?
I was over 20; In fact I celebrated my 21st birthday as Miss Nigeria in Lagos. I actually qualified for the finals after contesting as Miss Bendel, even though I hail from Esu local government area in Imo State.
How did you feel when the judges announced you as Miss Nigeria, and how did your parents take the news?
My parents weren’t so popular but they were relatively exposed. They were ever ready to give anybody a chance to do what he feels is good for him. When I first broke the news to them that I want to contest they supported me all through. My elder brother sponsored me with all the things I needed for the contest. So my family was even in Lagos with me for the finals and I made them proud. For me, it was very exciting; I never knew I was going to be the winner because all the contestants were beautiful in their own way. So I was happy I didn’t lose.
What made you feel the judges chose you as the winner?
Well, they (the judges) didn’t tell us exactly why I was chosen. But I think, first of all, God was on my side. I really can’t say what was in me that the other girls there didn’t have. I nevertheless know that during the talent show, the way I played the piano really helped in boosting my points. I was the only one who played the musical instrument. It could not have been beauty alone because all the other contestants were equally beautiful.
What motivated you to contest?
It was just a coincidence. I was going through some magazines with some friends and we saw this Miss Africa; they started teasing me saying “why won’t you go for something like this? Of course I joined in the fun and said ‘why not, let’s give it a trial!’ That was how it all started and before I knew it, they started grooming me, and in the course of our grooming, we discovered that the Miss Africa advert was no longer available and we started seeing the Miss Nigeria advert. Given that we were already in the spirit, I said ‘well, let’s put in for the Miss Nigeria’ which we did and God was on my side.
Are you married?
I was married for more than ten years and blessed with a daughter who would be 21 by next month. She is presently in Canada studying Communications.
Do you have any plans to groom her so she can follow in your footsteps?
If she is interested, of course, I will encourage her. But so far, I don’t think she has shown any interest.
How would you rate the contest now?
There is really improvement with all kinds of things going on now. In those days, people were not so bold and encouraged by families and friends. Also, the society was not so friendly too, because they felt it’s not a serious thing to do. But now, you find out that even parents are encouraging their daughters to come out and show the world how beautiful they are by contesting. That is the only way I can compare the past and now. We have a lot of beautiful girls these days willing to come out and contest unlike those days.
During your reign, did you have any pet project?
I had a pet project then but it wasn’t like an NGO. We were just attended to the less privilege and that was one of the things we were encouraged to do and which I did. We were encouraged to work with the less privileged. We visited many motherless baby homes to encourage them so that they also can be happy in the society.
What are you doing currently?
Immediately after winning, I went into the fashion industry and on to interior decoration. I am also into event management. This has led to the National Tourism Photo Competition that I am now undertaking. Also, my company is already thinking about how we can conceptualize anything to empower the youths. We initiated a project which is the National Tourism Competition to sensitise Nigerians about the tourism industry. The competition is really asking Nigerians in their localities to take photographs of anything that can be useful for tourism, and we have mapped out seven categories – like monuments, developed tourist destinations, undeveloped ones like the eco system and so on. All the seven are on our website. Now, if you go there you will read more about this initiative. When a person uploads pictures into this website, we already have professional photographers who would assess them and elect winners. We have planned on where they are going to be given prizes by setting up fully equipped photographic studios. When you have an equipped studio, it doesn’t just affect one person, that person will have to employ other people to work for him, so it is also a way of encouraging employment. We would also be giving out cash prizes.
How far have you gone with this project?
Right now, we are working towards the first contest in the six geopolitical zones and we are going to launch it from Abuja. The Abuja event, scheduled for April 26, will serve like an opening ceremony for this project.
With all these engagements, how do you spend your leisure time?
Not much since I started this project. But if I can, I will like to just have a quiet time. I also love reading, movies, and anything that would give me my space and have some rest and in that atmosphere, coming with my God.
How can you describe your fashion style?
I’m a designer; I don’t have a particular style. But I just love anything that is unique, it can be a traditional long skirt for instance. I also love things put together in a way that will bring out the creative part of me. However, I wouldn’t say I prefer this to this, I just love fashion.
Did being Miss Nigeria ever changed you?
I doubt if it did. Miss Nigeria is just a title. To be honest, I am still my own self. As a woman you need to be able to adapt to situations. I accommodate and accept the people I find around me and patience matters a lot.