Queen Oluchi Madubuko is a graduate of Mass Communication, Abia state university and the reigning Miss Ambassador for Peace, Nigeria 2016/2017. In this first major interview with the press, the sexy looking queen talks about why she thinks marriage is a big distraction and also why she wants to concentrate on her pet project to unite the nation. She speaks with ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM,in Abuja.
What inspired your decision into pageantry?
I am one of those who have been inspired to do good mostly to humanity. That has been the inspiration behind my going into pageantry.
Have you contested in any pageant show before?
First of all, it’s not about going into pageantry, it’s going there and doing something that will better one’s life and people around you. I have always wanted to be a beauty queen and when I had the opportunity of becoming one, I said I’m going to use this platform to better myself and everybody around me. I was inspired most especially when I saw some of the things other beauty queens did for themselves and when they come out there and speak, you would be inspired. It’s not something magical, but really they have done a lot of things that bring them to where they are today. They have inspired people in one way or the other. Have I contested before, No I haven’t. This is my first when it comes to national pageantry. When I won in the school pageantry, I believed I could do it. After a year I decided to run for the national pageantry. It really inspired me because it’s a school thing and people will get to know you. And when you come out for a national pageant, people will want to talk about you. Back then in school when I won, I started a talk-show on my school radio station “ladies hangout”. When I decided to run for the national pageantry I wasn’t regular on the show, people where asking questions about me when they heard I was running for the national pageantry, they made positive comments and that really inspired me.
When you decided to contest for Miss Peace Ambassador Pageantry what were the reactions from your parent?
My parents have always been very supportive, my mum always call me Queen Esther, she was very happy. She told me that I should just go and do my best and that has always been the encouragement and inspiration. They were very supportive.
Did you ever have any negative thought about the pageantry; looking at how the industry’s managers are alleged to have been sleeping with young ladies like yourself before giving them the crown?
Yes, I had that thought, mostly in our entertainment industry and knowing that I just decided to try my luck, am happy I have a platform that allows me to express myself. My boss has been a very big inspiration not just to me but so many others. At times, when I come to the office I see other queens seated there from other pageantry seeking advice and that has brought me to see pageantry as not what people think it is.
When you where in camp, you where with other contestants, did you think you were going to win?
You can’t start off something and think you will fail but I always had this positive mindset that I will always win but still I was scared and so nervous because of the girls there. I was also scared for myself but I always gave myself this encouragement that I will win. There was this queen who gave me tough time, finally she became the runner-up.
Now that you are the Queen what are the things you are planning, your project, what you have for the future?
I have a lot. With the little I have been able to do and what I intend to do, I know it will be great. So far, within the short period of this my reign I have been able to do little projects, but the main project which is my pet project – the Peace Education Campaign, the other ones are just the minor projects like the hepatitis B vaccines’. Most people don’t know about hepatitis B and it kills just like HIV. I am really very happy that some of the senators like Dino Malaye want to do the project in his constituency same for other senators; but before we can do anything we need to lunch my projects and book.
Tell us what the book is all about?
The book is about religious differences today not just in Nigeria but all over the world. I look forward to where I can sit down with muslims in a cordial atmosphere, where we all will respect and appreciate each other’s right to religious beliefs and nothing would happen. I believe christians and muslims preach peace. The book is centered on religious turnaround; it’s mainly for secondary school students.
Which agencies of the government are partnering with you?
I haven’t spoken to any but I have spoken to a lot of people and they are keying into the project.
What do you expect to achieve at the end of the presentation of these book?
I really want this book to go far because it’s something of concern in our country today, where people keep bringing differences, problems, gaps between religion but it’s not like that; I want people to see this book as something that will unit christianity and Islam.
Are you married?
No, I’m not married and I am not seeing anyone at the moment because I see relationship as a distraction.
Aside all these do you still have anything like businesses; maybe you are into anything aside pageantry?
Yes, am into fashion because I love fashion, I intend on having my own fashion label, my signature here in Abuja and all over.
What’s your take on one of the contestants that went viral about cucumber?
When the story broke out I didn’t want to say anything because it’s a question of something you may have done in the past coming to hunt you in the future. I wouldn’t say much but normally, at times people are pushed to do something but no matter whom you are, I believe one should be very careful when it comes to whatever that can stain your name especially as a public figure. For me, I wouldn’t venture into it.
What will be your advice to young prospective pageant contestants that will like to be like you?
Before I went into pageantry I had something I wanted to do, so I sat down and I said this is how I would achieve it. If you are going into pageantry don’t see it as a pimping zone or where you go and get money and come out. There is one queen, I don’t know much about her, but I love her because of her humanitarian services and that was the 2013 ambassador of Miss Peace, she is one queen I always love. When you are going into anything most specially pageantry you should have the mindset that this is what I want to do if I win, even if you don’t win. You should know what you want and how you intend to achieve it; don’t just focus on the money, the money may not help you.
What message do you have for the government mostly those who would like to key into your project?
They should please support me on this. I call on stakeholders, government agencies, multinational, individuals, etc. to support initiatives to promote peace that bring about unity because we believe, as we say, ‘we are one Nigeria’ and for us to achieve that we need to reach out to people to know that no matter what you do or where you are if there is no peace you can’t achieve any meaningful development.