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Ex-MBGN SYLVIA NDUKA’s shocker!

‘Nobody may know the day I would get married’

+ Unveils Face of Sylvia’s Hair

BOSS of Sylvia’s Hair Gallery, Sylvia Nduka won the 24th edition of Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) in June 2011.  And now an ex-beauty queen, the self-made pretty lady has since become a serial entrepreneur.

In this exclusive interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly on Thursday, September 26, 2013, Sylvia told us how her multi-million naira hair accessory business (on Adeniran Ogunsanya Road, Surulere, Lagos) has grown beyond her imagination.

Opening up on life as a former beauty queen, she also unveiled plans for the second edition of Face of Sylvia’s Hair, taking place on Saturday, October 19, 2013, at Radisson Blu, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos.

On her love life, the ex-MBGN kept it private as usual, sensationally revealing she is plotting a secret wedding!

 

1-Silvia Nduka (3)What do you miss most about being a beauty queen?

I won’t say I miss anything so far. I’m still carrying myself like a beauty queen because once a beauty queen will forever be a beauty queen.

What would you say you enjoyed or benefitted most during your reign?

I enjoyed a lot, especially the attention which was the sweetest part of it. But I’m not saying they don’t pay attention to me anymore.

What about the bitter part of your experience as Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN)?

The bitter part of my reign was when I get calls or mail every day, alerting me there is a negative story about me.  I didn’t really find that funny.  It was quite disheartening.

Which of the stories hurt you most back then?

The one of Prince Tonye Princewill buying me a car.  I don’t even know who the person is.  I didn’t really bother to find out who he is because it was not important.

Till now, you have not tried to find out who he is?

No, I didn’t really bother because it is not important to me.  I don’t know who this person is.  That is why I didn’t really bother going into details.

You basically learnt from all the controversies?

Of course, such is life.  We learn from things like this.

You established Sylvia’s Hair Gallery sometime last year?

Yes.

And you splashed millions of naira in the business, prompting many to constantly ask who funds you?

They can’t be asking who funds me because they don’t really know who I am.  They don’t know my background.  I’m a businesswoman and an ex-beauty queen at that.  What they imagine is their business, let them understand it the way they want.

They are also wondering how a young lady would own a magnificent building on highbrow Surulere area of Lagos…

This place, Sylvia’s Hair Gallery, where you are conducting this interview belongs to me. It is my place.

How much did it cost you?

It is my place.  And you are not in the right position to ask me how much it cost me (laughs).  Nobody would want to bring his own business for public scrutiny.  You can’t tell me your secret, neither will I tell you mine as well.

How is Sylvia’s Hair Gallery run?

This place is not run by me. I come here when I have something to do.  I have a management and they are doing very well.

So, business is good?

Sure.

1-Silvia Nduka (2)More than one year after you established Sylvia’s Hair Gallery, what has been the challenges so far?

You know there are a whole lot of hair brands in the market.  So, we are also trying to make our own name.  You know it wouldn’t be all that easy breaking into the highly competitive market to let people who are used to buying different products to patronize Sylvia’s Hair.  But with time, they would all switch to our products.

What really stands out Sylvia’s Hair from the others?

Sylvia’s Hair is 100 per cent human hair.  It is loved by Nigerian ladies. It is the kind of hair you would wear and you get men’s attention (laughs).  The most important thing about our product is that it is very affordable. It is something everybody can afford.

You are constantly out of Lagos and out of the country, what else do you do when you are not in our beautiful Lagos or Anambra, the Home For All State?

You guys have come again!  I’m a human being, please (laughs).  Every other businessman or woman would do business, leave the town and come back.  So, it is one or two things that usually take me out of Lagos, Nigeria.

When last were you outside our shores?

Last summer.

To seal one or two businesses?

No, it was purely a pleasure trip. Not for business.

You are from Anambra State, are you campaigning for any particular candidate in the November 16, 2013 guber election?

All the candidates are my people.  And I pray the best person that can take Anambra to the next level wins.

If you were to set agenda for the candidates what would it be?

I have serious interest in education.  The next governor should focus on education and youth development.  The new governor should surpass the previous regime in this respect.

You should be set now for Season 2 of Face of Sylvia’s Hair?

Oh, yes. The second edition would be massive. It is coming up on Saturday, October 19, 2013.  We are still going back to Radisson Blu, the same place I launched Sylvia’s Hair.  We have an international model as special guest in addition to Nigerian top celebrities.

What is really special about Season 2 of Face of Sylvia’s Hair?

I’m so much in love with the second edition because there are so many things I didn’t put in last year that I’m putting in this year.  Sometimes you plan A but B comes up.  But this year’s edition is just it.  In that, I planned for A and I’m getting A.

What is at stake this year?

We have struck a deal with Geely Motors.  They are our sponsors.  The winner gets N1 million and a brand new car.  She would also be an ambassador for Sylvia’s Hair for one year.  The second runner-up would smile home with N500,000.

Would the winner go with the car at the end of her reign?

Yes, of course.  The maiden winner of the Face of Sylvia’s Hair, Adaora Ikokwu has gone with her ride.  It is her car forever.

What has been the vision behind this competition?

It is my own little way of giving back to society.  I’m an ex-beauty queen and a successful entrepreneur today because I was given the opportunity to live my dream.  Before I started this competition, a lot of young girls used to ask me how they could be models.  It was there I decided to initiate Face of Sylvia’s Hair.

Was the previous winner a worthy ambassador for Sylvia’s Hair?

Yes, the maiden winner of Face of Sylvia’s Hair, Miss Adaora Ikokwu is an exemplary brand ambassador.  She was in Dubai, UAE months back on Emirates sponsorship.

You always look chic and stunningly beautiful.  What is the secret?

It is normal.  I’m not yet a senior ex-beauty queen.  I’m just a very happy person.  I try to keep it real.  I try to do my thing without thinking about what people have to say about me. I do my thing the way I like.

What does fashion mean to you?

Fashion to me is anything you are comfortable in. I’m not a fashion, fashion person.  Anything I wear that gives me freedom, is it.  To me, it’s all about being comfortable.

What is your fashion fetish?

I love red lipstick.

You’ve got it all: you are beautiful, rich and famous.  Why are you still single?

I say this all the time, that I am a very private person.  I don’t like exposing my personal life.  I’m sure that when I’m going to get married, nobody would even know.  I don’t put my family in what I do.  Sylvia is Sylvia and my family and love life is just for me.

But you are happy in your relationship?

(Laughs) I’m okay where I am.

And there is marriage plan?

Of course, every sensible young girl knows that one day, she is going to get married.  So, we are looking forward to getting married at the right time.

Is it a 2013/2014 project for Sylvia?

Now, I’m focusing on my career.  Don’t forget I’m a businesswoman and not just business, I have other things I’m focusing on.  So for now, really marriage is not my priority.

Would you say you have been lucky in your relationship?

I’m a very lucky person, from day one.

1-MBGN_2011What is your advice to young girls who attempt suicide after a heart break?

I’m not giving this advice based on experience.  All I can say is that people are meant to break up and move on.  I don’t see any reason one would want to kill oneself because she was dumped or hurt.  It is normal if the first man doesn’t work out, the next might make you happier.

What is your ultimate ambition?

From now till the next five years I’m looking at myself as not just a beauty queen but the next big thing.

So, you are living your dream?

Sure, I am.

If you were not into your line of business, what else?

I don’t really know.  I have always loved to be a businesswoman. I also wanted to have my hairline.  I have my eyelashes in the market now, and I am going into other hair products which would hit the market before Christmas.

Does this business thing run in the blood?

Don’t forget my parents are from Anambra State.  My dad is also a businessman.  So, I have taken over (laughs).

Where are you from in Anambra?

I am from Isuofia, Aguata Local Government.  My mom is from Nnewi.

Do you have intimate friends?

No.  I have my brother, my sister and parents.  I’m not the outgoing type. I don’t club and I’m not the party type.  I’m always home if I’m in Lagos.

How best would you describe Sylvia Nduka?

Sylvia Nduka is a very simple person, but many people don’t understand her. She is the nicest girl you can ever come across.

 – UCHE OLEHI

Encomium

Written by Encomium

A media, tech and events company.

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