Exclusive Interview with Onyinyechi Gloria Ikechukwu, Miss Steph Charity Queen 2015
On the 21st of March 2015 , during a night of Glamour inside the Banquet Hall of Chrisholik Hotels in the city of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Preparedness with good fortune and turn around the life of 22 years old Onyinyechi Gloria Ikechukwu, an undergraduate of Ken Saro Wiwa polytechnic, Rivers State was crowned the Miss Steph Charity Queen 2015 outshining other beauties to win the most coveted crown.
The beauty queen reveals and shares moments leading to her crowning as the Miss Steph Charity Queen 2015.
PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF
I am Onyinyechi Gloria Ikechukwu and I’m Miss Steph Charity Queen 2015. Am a student from Ken Saro Wiwa Polythecnic Bori, Rivers State studying insurance and Risk management and currently on my Industrial Training. I hail from Imo State, Mbaitoli LGA. I come from a family of three (Two girls and a boy) Second child precisely.
WHO ARE YOUR ROLE MODELS?
My mum is my role model. A virtuous woman and epitome of a Christian mother. She’s what I aspire to be in the future.
SO HOW DID YOU BECOME A CONTESTANT IN THE PAGEANT?
Actually, I was encouraged by a friend to pick the form, Procrastinated but eventually picked the form.
HAVE YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY PAGEANT PRIOR TO MISS STEPH CHARITY QUEEN?
Yes, I have but this is my first time of emerging as a winner.
HOW DID YOUR PARENTS REACT TO IT WHEN YOU TOLD THEM YOU WERE TAKING PART IN THE MISS STEPH CHARIY PAGEANT?
From the onset, my mum was never okay with me participating in any pageant because she believes that it entails going nude as other girls do all for pageantry. But her perception changed when she found out that you must not go nude to be a model.
COMING INTO THE COMPETITION AND SEEING THE ARRAY OF BEAUTIFUL CONTESTANTS LIKE YOURSELF, DID YOU THINK YOU STOOD A CHANCE OF WINNING?
Well in camp I must admit, I had lot of competitors and the stake was high but I had to psyche myself back.
HOW WAS LIFE IN CAMP?
I would have to say, camp was amazing. I learnt a lot from the in- house instructors and organizers on the journey of being a queen. We went out on a visit to the compassionate home, and even went shopping. It was really fun. The other contestants wear beautify and talented.
CAN RECALL HOW YOU FELT THAT MOMENT WHEN YOUR NAME CAN WAS CALLED OUT AS THE CROWNED QUEEN OF STEPH FOUNDATION?
Yes I do remember that evening, I also remember been in the top three and knowing for sure that I was not going to win because of the crowd that cheered the first runner up each time she’s on stage. But I was puzzled and surprised when my name was called and the crown put on my head. I was very happy and overwhelmed……and I cried (Laughs and makes a funny face).
(Photo from Miss Steph 2015)
CRIED TOO, ISN’T THAT BECOMING CEREMONIAL AT THE END OF EVERY PAGAENT?
Oh no! There are some tears you cry and you take it but if it is something that means so much to you and has to do with your dream I bet when you achieve that, you will feel it and it will get you all emotional.
ON YOUR PET PROJECT HOW DO YOU INTEND TO RUN IT?
My main aim in my pet project is to empower the less privileged in our society, to create more entrepreneurs who can be able to stand on their own and start up something good to earn a living for themselves in line with the quote that states: ”Give a man fish and you feed him for a day; but teach a man how to fish and you feed him a life time”
AS A CHARIY QUEEN, HOW CAN YOU DEFINE CHARITY?
Charity they say begins at home. To me I see charity as involving myself in the plight of the less privileged and needy.
HOW HAS YOUR LIFE CHANGED SINCE YOU WON THE PAGEANT?
My life has changed a lot but my person has not changed at all. I still feel like Onyinyechi. The only thing that has changed is that I am famous apart from that, I’m still grounded in my principles and values.
WHAT LEGACY WILL YOU LOVE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR, EVEN AFTER YOUR REIGN AS A QUEEN?
One thing I know about legacy is that it’s knowing how you will affect the lives of the people around you. In the end, I want to make sure that I am successful with the things I choose to do and be a woman to reckon with in the society.
GIVE A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO GIRLS WHO WOULD LOVE TO BE LIKE YOU IN THE NEAR FUTURE
Let me encourage the girls out there by saying have confidence in yourself and know that whatever it is you want to be in life, you can achieve that if you believe in God and in yourself.