I won’t respect my husband if he isn’t smart — Miss Nigeria, Chioma Obiadi

Miss Nigeria, Chioma Obiadi

Read excerpt from Chioma Stephanie Obiadi's interview:

Background
I grew up in a family of six, including my mother and father. I have three younger brothers. When you are raised in the midst of boys, you must be strong because we were doing things together and I didn’t want to be left out. Growing up, I was not a quiet kid. I have always been playful and I have always loved fun. I like adventures too. I can still remember playing football and television games with my brothers. We would also stay up at night to gist till we fell asleep.



Education
I had my elementary education at Handmaids International Catholic School in Lagos. For my post-elementary education, I attended Our Lady of Fatima Academy in Osun State. I am currently a final year student of Geology and Meteorology at the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka. Though I went to a boarding Catholic school for my secondary education, I had an amazing time and I believe it made me who I am today. It was a quiet and religious school. But I was always missing my parents and siblings; I always looked forward to coming home or seeing them during our visiting days.

Beauty pageants

Miss Nigeria isn’t the first beauty pageant I contested. As an undergraduate, I won my department’s pageant and the Face of UNIZIK award. I was the second runner-up at the Miss Anambra beauty pageant in 2015. I felt disappointed that I didn’t win Miss Anambra, but I tried not to let it weigh me down. I went home and developed myself to become better.

Parents

 My parents are supportive, but my father was skeptical about me going into pageantry at the outset. He told me I had to get into the university before contesting in pageants. After getting into school and doing well, I spoke about it with my mum who later convinced him.

Challenges

 I think the major challenge is trying to be what you feel people expect you to be. But I have decided to be myself and not to change who I am. I feel no matter how hard you try, you cannot be another person. So, I try so much to be myself and I do what I normally do even when I wasn’t Miss Nigeria.

 Also, combining my education with the activities of Miss Nigeria is challenging. I hardly have time to unwind with friends. I am always going from one duty to another. But I haven’t lost friends; my friends are very understanding.

Role models

 My role model is Oprah Winfrey because she went through a lot of challenges in life but she still managed to be successful. In Nigeria, I admire Agbani Darego. I believe she got to the peak of her career as a beauty queen without scandals and she is living a peaceful life.

Lessons

 I have learnt that life is not a bed of roses. You have to work for anything you want in life. Also, since I have a lot of people looking up to me as a beauty queen, my actions are no longer mine alone. Before I take any step, I need to consider and think of the impact it would create on people that look up to me as their role model. You need to be very careful as well with whatever you do so that it is not used against you or misinterpreted.

Personality

 I am a peaceful and fun-loving girl. I like to dance, travel and meet people. My dream is to become a very successful businesswoman and get married to the love of my life.

Romance

 I think love is giving, love is sacrifice and it is a decision. You cannot decide to fall in love, but you can decide to stay in love. My husband must be God-fearing and smart because if he is not smart, I may not be able to respect him. Of course, the man must completely adore me too. I want to have two children, a girl and a boy.

Inspiration

 I am inspired by the better life that is ahead of me. I also get inspired thinking of how I can influence people around me.

Legacy

 I want to be seen as a woman who believes nothing is too big to be achieved. Just as you can create hell in your mind, you can also create heaven in your mind. It is your choice.

Fashion

 I like classy and chic. I believe that less is more. I don’t have a favorite colour, so, I like to experiment. I can’t be caught wearing a synthetic hair or tattoos. However, I am open to change but for now, I don’t have any interest in tattoos. I am comfortable with my body and I love it the way it is.

Relaxation

 I like to watch cartoons and other nice programmes on television. I do this with a big plate of junk food in a beautiful dark room, and with the air conditioner on. My favourite food is plantain. It could be fried or roasted, I really don’t mind; I enjoy it with some grilled fish.

Punch