not all contestants are sex object

Face of Nigeria World ‘Miss Tourism’ winner Ijeoma Okafor has debunked insinuations from some quarters that beauty pageantry is full of immorality, stemming from the Miss Anambra sex scandal that went viral online. She disclosed to Vanguard Woman’s Own by chat saying it was quite unfortunate that it happened, but despite all odds, disciplined and decent ladies abound in the industry.
According to her, “Beauty pageantry is serious business. It takes a lot of hard work and discipline to get to the top and should not be seen as an easy come, easy go thing. But it is quite unfortunate that Miss Chidinma,
winner, Anambra state ‘Miss Face of Democracy’ pageant got herself involved in such a mess.”
The Enugu State-born beauty queen won ‘Miss Tourism’ in the just concluded season 3 of the ‘Face of Nigeria World’ beauty pageant held on Sunday October 30, at Bespoke Centre Lekki, Lagos by Angeleyes Communication.
Ijeoma is of the opinion that sometimes, either selfish interest from a sponsor or overzealousness of a candidate plays out when a contestant lacks confidence to prove her worth. “Some pageantry involves thorough investigation and background check of candidates before the contest, while some are free, fair with no scandal. The question of morality here is brought to the fore by genuine producers and that’s why pageantry is more businesslike than fun. I do not subscribe to some schools of thought that say beauty pageants are full of sex scandals. Even religious organisations nowadays conduct pageants.

“Pageantry goes beyond runways and catwalks on stage. There is a socio-economic angle to it. In my pet project presentation, I talked about violence against children that has become rampant in society. The rate at which children are molested, kidnapped and sexually abused is worrisome. In my mind, this is one area I want to concentrate on in term of how to curb such or bring it to barest minimum.”
Miss Okafor who doubles as ‘Miss NGO’ Abuja and Miss Madonna University said that parental guid once also spurred her into pursing the career professionally. “My mum is really behind my career and success.”
Career and success
She acknowledged this from the onset and encouraged me to go ahead. Initially she was skeptic of the whole idea of pageantry because of the perception associated with it but after winning the ‘Miss NGO’ in Abuja, she reneged in her decision, and saw that it is not all about nudity, then allowed me to move on with it. My father, an engineer, is also in support but he is more concerned about my academics and I have not disappointed.”
Ijeoma Okafor disclosed that she was inspired and encouraged by her secondary school teacher back in 2013 in MayGold International School, Port Harcourt where she contested for Miss Inter-house sports and won. After that she decided to push the career forward.
“I won the ‘2015 Most Beautiful Girl’ in Madonna University, Anambra State, where I am currently studying Banking and Finance in 300 level. I also won the ‘2015 Miss NGO’ pageant held in Abuja. The Face of Nigeria World beauty pageant organised by Angeleyes Communication is my second major contest. I was crowned ‘Miss Tourism’ alongside 3 other equal winners. It has not been an easy road though, but I am most grateful to God who has guided my victories. It involves a lot of hard work and personal discipline to make it,” Ijeoma said.
Speaking in the course of reigning as ‘Miss Tourism’, she said; “My focus is on children and youths because children are our future. If we don’t do something about the situation, they will grow up traumatised and behave abnormal, creating more problems in the society. I will be visiting Internal Displaced Persons (IDP) homes, and other centers that cater for such victims – providing counseling and some needs.
“Also, tourism in this country is not really as it should be. I will visit some tourist centers across the country, identify and see how a corporate or government intervention can be carried out to set the tourism industry on the right path.”