I Never Dreamt I’d Be A Beauty Queen, Says Current Miss Nigeria UK

By Okey EGBOLUCHE

At first encounter, one may be at a loss as to what to think of Victoria Chi-Chi Okafor, the reigning Miss Nigeria in the United Kingdom, but a close interaction with her reveals a humble, reserved, yet focused and ambitious young lady. In this chat, the 19-year-old beauty queen who hails from Arondizuogu, Imo State, Nigeria, speaks on a number of issues: her life, her career, her motivations, her ambitions, etc.

Chi-Chi Okafor: current Miss Nigeria UK

Who is Victoria Chi-Chi Okafor?

Well, I am a person misunderstood by many. Because of my age, people perceive me to be immature and childish, but the real me is a more articulate and serious person. The days I’m not at university or placement, I am either reading or planning how to put myself into good use. As a person, I love helping people. I love good things around me and I will do anything to ensure that everyone is happy. I put others before myself which can be a blessing and also a curse, but that’s me.

What are you doing currently?

I’m currently studying Adult Nursing at Kingston University, London.

Did you ever dream of becoming a beauty queen?

I never dreamt of winning a beauty pageant but I’ve always wanted to make a difference in the world, especially in my country. However, I decided to become a beauty queen because I had a feeling that my passion to become an ambassador would lead me to win, that was the moment I knew I can pursue this and achieve it.

How did you feel when you were crowned Miss Nigeria UK?

I honestly couldn’t believe it. I didn’t even realise my name had been called until the other contestants looked at me and said ‘Chi-Chi that’s you’ and I said ‘Thank you, Jesus’. I was happy that I did this for a purpose and it was then I began to believe this purpose can actually be achieved.

Chi-Chi in a traditional evening wear

Describe your road to becoming a beauty queen in terms of the challenges, obstacles, triumphs, etc.

A video man saw me and thought I would do well if I competed. The fact that it was something to do with Nigeria convinced me just as the story behind the pageant touched me. On the D-day, I was worried because I had never done a competition before and other contestants were equally as pretty and smart. But when I won, I was happy because I felt this is it, this is the beginning of good things.

How has your reign as Miss Nigeria UK affected your life?

The crown has made me mature in many ways that I can’t explain. It has made me appreciate life more. It has given me a kind of confidence that it is not just my family and friends that believe in my abilities but others too. Being Miss Nigeria UK has allowed me to be strong in my decisions in life and to stand up to what I feel is right. It has made my relationship with God closer than ever before as he has been so merciful to me and I know without God I wouldn’t have gotten this far.

How would you touch lives with your status as Miss Nigeria UK?

We have plans in place. The British National Blood Bank is ready to work with me to realize this plan. It is at an advanced stage now. A date will be given when we'll implement the plan. It’s a partnership that will work. The UK being a developed country, logistics and everything required for the implementation won’t be a problem. This will go a long way to help people, especially victims of anti-social behaviours, maternity wards, etc.

Chi-Chi with the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom

What would you want to be remembered for after your reign?

I want to be remembered by all as a passionate person with zest for the well-being of all the people around me. I want to be remembered as a person that helped to save lives through mobilizing hundreds of people in my constituency to donate blood.

Who are your role models, both in the beauty industry and in life?

Agbani Darego and Bianca Onoh-Ojukwu because apart from being beauty queens, I see them as good role models and legends who have given me, as a Nigerian, confidence to believe I can also make it to the top. In life, I would say President Obama because apart from making black people proud by making history, he never gave up once. Though he faced some challenges, he is still standing strong. He gets his family involved in what he is doing, and he adds to the community and speaks to youths and inspires them. Obama has given me even more confidence with his encouraging words: “It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It can’t happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice. So, let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.”

What’s your ambition in life?

My ambition in life is to be of help to those in need. That was what gave me the zeal to pursue a career in nursing. I also want to reach great heights in modelling.

Natural beauty personified

Describe your talents and abilities?

Dancing comes natural to me. It gives me inner joy when I move on stage. I also see myself as an actress in some years to come. I have a responsibility to take care of vulnerable people and the young ones too, and my training as a nurse would afford me more opportunity to reach out to these people.

Any man in your life?

By God’s grace, the right man will come, and when he arrives, you can celebrate with me.

Finally, what’s your advice to your management and aspiring beauty queens and models?

To my management, I would say they should keep up with the pageant and include more programmes for future queens. There is always room for improvement. And to aspiring beauty queens and models, just be yourself, always put God first in all you do, follow your heart, move with the right people, and always carry your head high, not too high but high enough to surpass enemies of progress.