’When I wanted to enter for a beauty contest, people said I wanted to become a prostitute’

How do you feel emerging as Miss O’odua?

I feel happy. It is a dream come true. I have dreamt of emerging as a beauty queen since 2009.

What inspired you to participate in the pageant?

I had nursed the ambition to positively affect the lives of the less-privileged. But the problem had been how I would achieve this feat as a ‘nobody’ in the society. I got really attracted to fashion and pageant shows on TV, and I told myself that I could do this. I promised myself that if I ever found myself in a position to help people, I would.

What pet project will you be working on during your one-year reign?

I hope to have a foundation that will sensitise people about the Yoruba culture and poverty alleviation. I also hope to launch a campaign for good health.

How do you intend to combine your studies with your duties as a beauty queen?

I will do my best. I will try as much as possible to work with a schedule, taking my school activities into consideration. The bottom-line is to make sure that one does not suffer for the other. And I believe that this can be achieved. For instance, in a situation where there is a clash between my exam and my duties as a beauty queen, we just have to reschedule the engagement.

Was Miss O’odua the first beauty contest you would take part in?

No. I had contested for Miss Ekiti in 2009 and emerged as the first runner-up. You can say I am not a rookie contestant, if you like.

Were you scared when you learnt that the pageant was organised by Otunba Gani Adams’ Olokun Foundation?

Oh yes (laughs). Unlike Miss Ekiti, which was a government thing, I didn’t know much about those behind Miss O’odua. I didn’t know what to expect or who I would meet there. My friends urged me to believe that I could do it.

Were your parents aware that you were entering for a pageant involving the O’odua People’s Congress? And what was their reaction?

My mum, for instance, knows about my passion for something of this nature. She urged me on. Like the average mother, she warned me to be careful and gave me her blessings.

At the moment the winner was to be announced, what was running through your mind?

Not much, really. I tried to remain calm. But I was wondering what would happen after the judges announced the first and second runners-up. However, one thing I had going for me was that the audience had all the while pre-empted the judges by shouting my name. I waited patiently and was overjoyed when my name was eventually announced as winner.

How are you handling the attention that comes with stardom, particularly from men?

Of course, everybody wants to associate with success. Everybody wants to claim to be a friend of a celebrity. I also understand that this is a time for me to be very careful, because people are watching me. At this stage of my life, I don’t want to make any mistake. People are quick to conclude that one is too proud if one makes any mistake at this point.

Who are your role models?

That has to be Agbani Darego. She is my role model because she conquered the world at the age of 18. This, as well as many young Nigerian girls out there, have inspired me. Darego’s feat has given me the confidence that I can achieve that or even do more than that at the age of 21.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I hope to achieve a lot by that time. I want to be in a position where people will look at me and say, ‘I love that girl so much.’ I want to be in a position to inspire youths. I also hope to run a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that will cater for youths and homeless kids. It grieves my heart when I see kids hawking on the roads, particularly at the time their counterparts are in the school.

Tell us about your family.

I am the first child in a family of four children. I was raised by wonderful parents. I attended State Government College, Ekiti (formerly Unity College). That was where I had my first exposure to children with tough backgrounds.

This is the third edition of Miss O’odua. How do you intend to make the brand more popular?

I hope to make people see Miss O’odua in a better light at the end of my tenure. By the time my pet project takes off fully, I hope to go around several schools to inspire and motivate kids to be great.

What does Miss O’odua stand for?

Miss O’odua is an ambassador of the Yoruba culture. The pageant is meant to portray the Yoruba people in a better light. I am a Yoruba girl and I can speak Ekiti dialect fluently.

With the tales of promiscuity that usually dog beauty queens, what has been your experience as Miss O’odua?

When I first signified my intention to contest for a beauty pageant, people said that I wanted to become an Asewo (a prostitute). Initially, I held the same belief. But having participated in one myself, I now have a better understanding. I can state boldly that there is no such thing with Olokun Foundation-organised Miss O’odua beauty pageant.

How does your boyfriend feel about your fame?

I don’t believe that one has to have a boyfriend or one ‘big man’ to make it in life. The only thing I need is to believe in myself. One only needs to be a good person. Education must be the priority of anyone my age.

What was your camping experience like?

We were camped in Ile-Ife (Osun State) for a few weeks before the main event. I was lucky to have one of my bosom friends as one of the contestants. So, there was no dull moment. We met and interacted with a lot of interesting ladies who are fun to be with. We encouraged one another. We also visited several places of interest around Ile-Ife, including the palace of the Ooni of Ife. We were told tales about the historical Opa

Oranmiyan.