Faith Ifeoma Ogaga, a graduate of Geography from University of Nigeria Nsukka is a model, actress, seamstress and the winner of Mrs Universe Woman Sympathy 2017 Award. In this interview by TAYO GESINDE, the mother of two speaks on her experience at the Mrs Universe Beauty Pageant in Durban, South Africa, why she is passionate about women’s right and other issues.
Background information
GROWING up was actually very tough. I had a very stern father and mother who were so disciplined to the extent that they made sure I went to a military school; Command Day Secondary School. But it was also fun growing up in Festac. I am from Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State in Nigeria. I graduated with Bachelors degree in Geography from the University of Nigeria, Nuskka, Enugu State in 2003. I have a Diploma in Industrial/ Oil field Health, Safety and Environmental Management and also hold professional qualification in Customer Relationship Management. I am a lady who believes in hard work, focus and dreams. My philosophy has always been, “if you can dream it, you can achieve it” …as long as you work hard towards it. I am a team player, very adaptive, an extrovert, and I have great Inter personal skills. I love bright colours and Nigerian traditional dishes. I love to travel, meet people and love listening to music. I also love sports especially basketball/volleyball and table tennis and I do volunteer work with The Redeeming Hope Christian Center Dept for widows. This department organises a yearly programme for widows where their various needs are met. This is aside the entrepreneurial and empowerment skills and programmes available. I love creativity and that was why I went into the art of dress making. I am a seamstress. I am a very optimistic person. I look at things in the very positive way. I don’t give up. I fall, I stand. I cry but I don’t give up. I am a go-getter.
About the Mrs Universe Beauty Pageantry
The pageant was held in the city of Durban, South Africa and had 83 ladies from different countries in attendance. The founder of Mrs Universe is Sofia Bulgaria. The hosts were; Mr Simon Agget and his wife Tracy-Anne Buckley Agget. Mrs Universe is not only about the crown, but it is purpose driven and seeks to highlight real concerns and identify issues for positive change and create a difference that not only affects change in the host nation but reverberates throughout the world.
Why I participated in Mrs Universe Beauty Pageantry
Modeling has always been a passion and pageants like the Mrs Universe help build women and it is also like a training ground for women. It gives women from all over the world a platform to air their voices, build their entrepreneurial skills and fight for a common goal and the theme of the event was #ONEVOICE #NOTOVIOLENCE #NOTOVIOLENCEAGAINSTWOMEN&CHILDREN.
And we all know how that has been a part of us even here in Nigeria and most importantly, there was a special day dedicated for all participants to speak and lecture the audience about the ills of domestic and gender violence. And we also marched against violence. I felt very honoured, grateful and happy.
My husbands’ reaction to my participation in the Mrs Universe Contest
He didn’t have a problem with it. He has always known that I was into modeling and beauty pageantry so it was not an issue with him. He has been very supportive.
Combining modeling with the home front
I have always been a very active and versatile person and by virtue of being a woman, I am great with combining different workloads and balancing them. Though it has been tough, I always pull through.
Most defining moment
That would be taking part in the Mrs Universe Beauty Pageant. Every day was an adventure. It was great meeting people from different cultures and going through our work schedule. Every day was a great defining moment up to the time of the crowning where I got the award for Mrs Universe Woman Sympathy Queen 2017.
Also Read: Social Media played a big role in my rise to stardom —Bonang Matheba, South African Presenter
Challenges faced as a model
The challenge I faced was from my parents. They never supported my dreams of becoming a model. Then, the industry wasn’t what it is now. Now almost every parent wants his / her child to go into entertainment or sports but then, the reverse was the case. It is out of passion, I am still doing this at this stage of my life.
On the allegation that it is women with loose characters who participate in beauty pageantry
Pageantry like this give women either single or married a platform and an opportunity to expand and foray into the fields of their choice, it could be in politics, entrepreneurship or even in the military. I think it is a great platform to air our voices, opinions and this makes us strong, independent and confident women.
Role models
My mother, Linda Ikeji, Joke Silva and Tiwa Savage, to mention but few.
How the pageantry has influenced me
With the confidence I gained at the pageant and the dreams, visions and goals I want to pursue. I hope to see myself impact my world positively, put a smile on people’s faces and be a role model to many. Meanwhile, I hope to also continue modeling, acting and also to become a great fashion entrepreneur.
Modeling and fashion design
It is all shaped into one big ball. They are all intertwined. When I walk on the catwalk, the feeling is great, same as when I am on the machine sewing or making different designs. I try to visualise design that are different from the usual ones we see around. Something in between the usual Nigerian Ankara designs and some English pattern to it.
My pet project
My pet project is going to be about helping the girl child with vocational skills. I am looking at Lift A Girl, Lift A Nation. It is all about training the girl child with a vocation and getting an income from it and impacting on others. I will be working with some Non Governmental Organisations as well as corporate organisations that are into Corporate Social Responsibility. I will also be working primarily with some local schools and orphanages. I hope to go to schools and lecture students on: The essence of having a Vocational Skill. As we all know, the importance of vocational educational training has been highlighted as a powerful weapon against poverty and hunger and women’s development. I also want to reach out to people or persons directly or indirectly linked to Domestic Violence and Gender Violence who can encourage our young ones.
Advice for young people
Be focused and be disciplined. Live your dreams and work hard towards them.
and then