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Sylvia Nduka MBGN recaps her Miss World experience – ‘I will fall back on my NGO after my reign’

FAIR-skinned Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, Sylvia Nduka was crowned on Saturday, June 25, 2011 pocketing N3 million and a red Hyundai Accent 2010 edition.  She also represented Nigeria in the Miss World pageant in London, England.  Though she didn’t come back with the crown, but she said the experience would continue to linger in her memory. 

ENCOMIUM Weekly had an interview with the Anambra State born pretty queen about the Miss World experience, her pet project and much more.

MBGN_2011How will you describe life since you emerged the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria?

Life has been fantastic since I became MBGN, the experience itself is exciting.  I am enjoying every bit of it.  MBGN has been a life changing event for me. I have had opportunities to do a lot of things I had in mind.  It has been life changing.

What were the things you had in mind to do before MBGN gave you the platform?

There were some things I have done for myself that wouldn’t have been if not for the MBGN platform.  Then the opportunity to work with children.  I have always loved to work with children, even before putting in for the MBGN.  I had it in mind to work with children when I have the opportunity.  I am happy to work with them, it has been a dream come true.

Can you enlighten us about your pet project and how far you have gone with it?

I am working on education for the less privileged, who don’t have the opportunity to go to school.  I am still on it. I have given a lot of children scholarship to go to school.  I have visited Taraba State, where scholarship was given to some children. I have been to Anambra, I have another one coming up on November 28 in Anambra State.  I go to public schools, provide desks, exercise books for them and other materials they need in school.  You don’t expect a child of 10, 11 years to assimilate anything when he’s not comfortable.  So, I make sure learning is done with ease by making them comfortable in class.

Where do you get funds to actualize these dreams because it is capital intensive?

I have a lot of sponsors. I have from government, some private institutions have been helping me.

What has changed about you?

A lot has changed about me (laughs). You can’t compare when I won and now.  It really feel great.  Like I told you, MBGN is a life changing experience for whosoever that has the opportunity.  I have touched lives which has been my dream and also gained experience far and wide.

What memorable experience of the competition do you still hold dear to your heart?

The night I won, I will never forget it.  I never had the promotion that I was going to win when I put in for the pageant. I never thought of it, but here we are today.

How did you get to participate in the pageant in the first place?

It was a friend of mine that pushed me to get the form, it wasn’t as if I was so keen as to make the first move.  Funny enough, that friend didn’t put in for the competition herself.  Maybe she felt she wasn’t pretty enough, I don’t really know.  She pushed me to get it.

Who was your best friend in the competition?

I will say I didn’t have any best friend, all of them were my friends.  I didn’t do the best friend thing, I went there for a competition, I never saw a need for that.  All of them were my friends.

How will you describe the Miss World pageant in which you participated?

It was a great experience.  I went for a debate when I was there, we had the debate in Cambridge.  I did pretty well in that competition.  It was a wonderful experience, a life time experience and I thank God for it.  I had fun and I learnt a lot.

How does it feel not coming back with the crown?

I feel good.  Yes, it is one of those things.  Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.  I am happy.

How have you been spending your prize money?

My prize money?  First, I paid my tithe (smiles).  I put some into my NGO and some for my family.  The money is not really for me.

What are the challenges the crown has brought to you?

The crown has not posed any challenge except for the little one I encountered in the process of executing my pet project. But God has been gracious to me, He has been doing it for me.

What is the best thing about being a queen?

The best thing about being a queen is, first, the opportunity to reach out to the less privileged through my pet project.  Then, the fact that people admire you, it feels good.

So, how do you combine school with the crown?

I am still in school, I go to school off and on.  Since I got back from Miss World, I have been in school. I have been coping, it has not been a problem.  I will cope.

How has your beauty routine changed from what it was before your regime?

It hasn’t changed.  I still use the product I was using before I won.  I still wash my face at night when I am through for the day.

Tell us about your typical day.

I wake up in the morning, I say my prayers, call my fat her if I need to.  Take my shower, if I need to be in school, I will get ready and go.  If I have other job, I go for them, come back. I will wash my face, say my prayers and off to bed.

Sooner than we think your reign will be over, what plan are you putting in place for life after your reign?

I will go back to my NGO, it wouldn’t stop as a queen. I want to face it squarely, then I will also venture into fashion.

How have you been coping with men, we believe a lot of them will be making advances?

It is not easy.  I must confess. But every morning, I pray to God to give me the right people, they shouldn’t just come because other people are coming.  I want the right man.  I have been coping with them, though it is not easy.  I try as much as possible to be pleasant, I try as much as possible to be nice with everyone I come across.

Looking back to when you put in for the competition till now, what lessons would you say you have learnt?

Endurance, I have learnt how to endure anything.

Who is your favourite past queen and why?

Omowunmi Akinnifesi, she is my darling.  She is good and most especially a very focused person.

Whose design do you love and admire among Nigerian fashion designers?

Mai Atafo and Ricato Fashion, she is my friend and sister.  She made the dress I wore in MBGN.  She also made the dress I wore to Miss World.  Her name is Mariam Eliasha.

-SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN

This story was first published in Encomium Weekly of Tuesday, November 29, 2011

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