Encomium
‘THIS WILL CHANGE ME FOREVER’, she gushes
Deliciously beautiful Stephanie Ezeani, 19 was crowned Miss Charismatic Nigeria, 2014 on Saturday, August 9, 2014, at Federal Palace Hotel, Ahmadu Bello Road, Lagos. And overwhelmed by her enviable status which came with a car and a cash prize of N500,000, she told ENCOMIUM Weekly in an exclusive interview her life wouldn’t be the same again.
Congratulations on winning Miss Charismatic Nigeria 2014, how does it feel to be so elevated and celebrated?
I feel good and great, since its my first time to go for a beauty pageant, and I still won. I feel very excited about it.
Did you ever thought of being Miss Charismatic Nigeria 2014, while you were in the camp?
No! I never knew I was going to win, but I was sure I would make the top 10 even if I didn’t eventually emerge the winner.
What made you take part in Miss Charismatic Nigeria?
I never really know about the pageant, neither have I participated in any one before. Someone told me about it and I decided to give it a trial because I feel I possess all that it entail to be a beauty queen, especially Miss Charismatic Nigeria.
So, no previous experience of modelling/run way for you?
Yea, I didn’t have any modelling or run way experience, like I said before, this is the first pageant I have ever featured.
How then were you able to adapt with other contestants’ behavior in camp?
I am very friendly. I am very accommodating, I didn’t find it difficult accepting others in camp.
Can you share with us that special moment, when your name was called as the winner?
I was very excited. I cried. It was actually tears of joy, I didn’t expect it.
What are the qualities you possess that probably got you the crown?
I know how to associate with people. I’m very articulate. I always try to express myself with good manners. To be modest and honest with you, I am brilliant and I have good charisma. All of these, I guess worked for me.
What’s the latest thing for you as a newly – crowned Miss Charismatic Nigeria 2014?
I’m a beauty queen right now. Everyone want to know me, calls from different people, my pictures are everywhere. I think it’s the ‘sudden’ fame and that is pretty cool.
14 days after you became Miss Charismatic Nigeria 2014, what has really changed about you?
Before I became Miss Charismatic, while I was in the pageant house, I used to be timid. Along the line, we had a guest speaker, Nikky Orishy who spoke to us on confidence. She told us that if you’re not confident about yourself, wherever you go, people won’t be able to feel your inner mind.
But if you are confident about yourself and know what you want, even if you don’t pontificate, people can really figure out your desire. You must make your charisma speak for you.
How would you compare the platform that awarded you Miss Charismatic Nigeria 2014, to other beauty pageant platforms in Nigeria?
I don’t know what other beauty pageant base their platform on, but what I experienced with this platform is for you to be crowned Miss Charismatic Nigeria, you have to be extremely beautiful. You must be very intelligent. Your charisma also has to be very strong. Then you have to be able to express yourself very well.
What is your advice to girls who are aspiring to be beauty queens?
First, believe in yourself, right from the auditioning, make it a mandate for yourself you that are going to win, and make a plan for what to give in return to society.
What are your plans, as regards giving back to the community now that you have become a queen?
I want to mentor secondary school students on entrepreneurship development. As we all know, unemployment is a serious issue in Nigeria. So, when I finally start my pet project, in secondary schools, it will enable young minds to identify business opportunities, so that tomorrow even if you graduated from the university as a first or third class student, you wouldn’t really need to wait for a firm to offer you a job. You can lay your hands on what you know how to do best.
As a beautiful queen/Miss Charismatic Nigeria 2014, men would obviously start flocking around you, how do you intend to contend with them?
(Grinning) that is left to me. It’s about what morals mean to you. If you have value for yourself, no matter how large your advantage is, there is nothing bad in saying “NO” you are not interested, I won’t get killed if I keep my good morals. It’s all about how I feel and how I value myself.
Are you in a relationship?
Yes.
How many relationships have you had, so far?
I am just 19 years! Do you expect me to have been into multiple relationships?
It doesn’t matter nowadays, we are more of exposed world?
Ok! Just two relationships.
Wouldn’t you be keeping yourself warm with rich bag guys, now that you have become Miss Charismatic Nigeria?
No! I don’t have such a plan. I am fine with him.
What part of your body would you say is the sexiest?
I don’t have a sexy part in my body, my body is complete. I’m fine the way I am. People get attracted to me in any way they want, in fact, for reasons best known to them.
What is your definition of fashion?
Fashion is wearing what you feel is good on you. You don’t have to wear a dress because it is in vogue. Fashion should be what you feel comfortable in. Its about elegance and what makes you look charming. With this, then I’m good to go.
How do you relax?
I don’t joke with my sleep.
What do you like and what turns you off?
I like friendly people because I’m friendly, I like food and I like going out. I dislike people who easily get angry, people who are not accommodating.
As a woman and as a beauty queen, what is your take on the Chibok girls who were abducted about four months ago?
Oh! Chibok girls. I still hope we get them back very soon, because it has been a while they’ve been taken away. We just have to keep praying to God so we can get them back.
What is your opinion on Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, and how do you think it should be prevented?
Ebola is a virus. When it gets into body, it becomes a living organism. So, bathing with salt and hot water cannot cure this disease. Let’s keep praying to God that Africa gets the antidote from America on time, and wisdom for our Nigerian doctors that they should find a way to contain the virus in order to arrest the spread.
Can you please tell us more about Miss Charismatic Nigeria 2014?
My name is Stephanie Ezeani. I’m 19 years old. I’m from Anambra State, from a family of 5 children. I’m the first daughter. I have a younger brother, then younger ones.
My dad is a contractor and a businessman while my mom doesn’t work because my dad don’t want her to. I am a 300 level student of Redeemer University. I’m studying History and International Relations.
– UCHE OLEHI
