My parents opposed my career as a model — Madonna Nduji

What prompted you to go into the competition?Our previous queen, Irene Onwuka, was a good queen. She did all that was expected of her, she lived by example. She was a role model, and she is my role model. As my role model she made me realize that no matter the age it does not […]

What prompted you to go into the competition?
Our previous queen, Irene Onwuka, was a good queen. She did all that was expected of her, she lived by example. She was a role model, and she is my role model. As my role model she made me realize that no matter the age it does not matter if you want to be a change agent. In her little capacity as Miss Ambassador she was able to bring about change and enlightened a lot of people in the society. So I decided to go into the competition as a stepping stone to make a difference in the society. There are things that need to be set right in the society we live in today and I want to lend my voice to the course that will change it.

So how supportive were your parents when you decided to register for the competition?
Actually, in the beginning of my career, my parents did not support it. They never wanted me to be a model because of the things people say especially about the entertainment sector of Nigeria. Criticism comes with modeling job so I have heard especially in Nigeria. But if you know your onions there is nothing you cannot achieve in life. But after I convinced them, telling them that it was my passion because I love modeling with all my heart, they had no option than to accept it. Modeling is a career that can bring about change in any society but many people are ignorant of that fact and see modeling to be a negative thing. Modeling has a lot of potentials in Nigeria if only we know how to utilize it successfully.

So if you eventually win, what agenda for peace do you have?
I have a lot of agenda. First, I’ll organize conferences in schools, seminars in public places, social gatherings educating people about peace. Little is done about enlightening people on the need for peace in the society. Education plays a very vital role in the society. Secondly, I want to have an NGO. The name would be ‘The Power of Youths’.  I want to tell the youths that they have the power to be whatever they want to be in the society. We are the driving force of the society, we are the future and we need to act like one. I want the youths to understand that we cannot continue to be a political tool for politicians. We should not always run the agenda of the politicians but they should be running our agenda. We have the power to change our generation. Lastly, I want to preach and let people unite Nigeria irrespective of their religion and tribe. My NGO will be geared towards bringing the much needed peace we need in Nigeria.

So what has been the response to your campaign?
It’s been positive.  Most of the youths I have interacted with welcome the idea. As for my race towards the Miss Ambassador for peace, the response I get from my campaign is encouraging. A lot of youth want change and they are taking it seriously. The youth are so happy that a youth like me is very passionate about peace returning to the society.  I’m using this opportunity to call on the government and the corporate bodies to work with me towards achieving peace. With their sponsorship, we will be able to achieve more success in our bid to educate people on the need for peace in our country.

Concerning the recent abduction of school girls for over 100 days now, what is your take on it?
It’s saddening. I feel very bad about the abduction of the girls. It touches me because they are my sisters. When I think about it, I try to put myself in their shoes and it is not a good thought if truth be said.
I feel very bad about what happened to them but I think that if women in the society can be united, and also see these girls as their children, daughters, and they are also future mothers this isn’t supposed to happen. If we had the right indices put in place in the first instance, all these would not have happened. It all boils down to peace and having mutual respect for each other irrespective of religion and social status. If everyone can come together and treat these girls like their children and fight with all the might of unity we have in us to get them back and alive, then that will be the beginning of the change we have long desired in the country.

What do you think the female gender can do to achieve peace in Nigeria?
Unity is peace, peace is feminist. The female gender is all about peace, we are the driving force for peace and also the agents of peace. If all of us can come together in love, unity and join hands together to achieve one goal, which is bringing peace to the society the world will be a better place. A    s sisters, daughters, mothers and aunts we can do a whole lot to bring peace in Nigeria.

So if you win, how do you intend to use your post as the ambassador for peace to show that Nigeria is a peaceful country?
Before reaching out to the international community, I would first of all see how I can contribute to tackling insecurity in my own little way, before I can tell the international community that Nigeria is peaceful. We need to spread the word that Nigeria is peaceful, this I will do with my position, and I will consider it my first priority as the Miss Ambassador for peace 2014. Wearing the crown is not the priority now but what I can offer to my society. My legacy is what is important. Being a youth doesn’t mean I can’t start planning my legacy now.

What advice do you have for youths out there especially unemployed ones?
My advice to youths is that they should shun violence, look for areas they can make themselves useful or better still, acquire a skill so that they can contribute to the economy of this country.