Ebele Enemchukwu, current Mrs. Nigeria United Nations, tells Ademola Olonilua about her style and how she also emerged the international Mrs. Tourism World United Nations

How did you end up becoming a beauty queen, Mrs. Nigeria United Nations?

It was just like a joke. I was listening to the radio on my way to work and I heard something about the pageant. I wasn’t sure if they had meant Mrs. United Nations or Miss United Nations because I am used to ‘Miss’ pageants. I listened very hard and I realised they actually meant Mrs. United Nations. I got into the office and much later, I went online and I read about the pageant. I decided to ‘just’ try it out.

Just like that?

Oh yes. I bought the form and then there was an audition and I was shortlisted. We had to go to Abuja for a one-week period for the grand finale, which was held in May. I emerged the winner. So I became Mrs. Nigeria United Nations. That automatically meant I had to represent Nigeria on the international stage in Jamaica and I was crowned Mrs. Tourism United Nations. There was even a voting segment for the Peoples’ Choice Ambassador Award. It was even the biggest award for the night and I won.

You probably solicited for so many votes…

When I started soliciting for votes, people like Mrs. USA already had 23, 000 votes. The voting wasn’t even free. It was 10 dollars for every 100 votes. I had to do a lot of soliciting. And since our faces were on the internet, so many other people outside Nigeria voted for me. Eventually I won. It has been a season of crown and sashes for me.

Why wait till you got married before getting into beauty pageantry?

I have always had an eye on this but the only thing that stopped me was my family background. My mum had the opinion that anybody who is into pageantry is wayward. She was a disciplinarian. So what she said got stuck to my brain and I turned down all the opportunities I had to participate in a beauty contest. The only time I came close to this was in our youth service camp. I was practically forced to represent my platoon for the Miss NYSC. I eventually went in for it and I emerged the winner in Lagos camp in 2005.

So your husband supported you to go in for this contest?

He did. I met him in 2004 before I won the Miss NYSC so he knew I was interested in things like that. But if he had told me not contest for this pageant, I wouldn’t have. But I am lucky and he said I could go for it if it was what I wanted.

What were the prizes that came with your crown?

For the national level, there was a cash prize in dollars and I also got a car and the promise to represent Nigeria on the international level. All of these have been fulfilled. For the international level, there was no cash prize but then, you have been empowered on a bigger platform to touch lives. And that is what I have set out to do. I have started visiting orphanages. I visited the Friends of Jesus orphanage in Lagos recently. The essence of the visit was to show love to the children by spending quality time with them. This is in line with the United Nations Pageant’s quest to reach out to the less privileged.

Would you consider yourself as a fashionable lady?

Yes, I consider myself a fashionable lady. Stylish, but in a ‘modest’ way.

As a beauty queen, have you always set out to look good?

Not meaning to sound boastful, I believe my ensemble from top to bottom is more effortless than fully thought out. But then again, I believe that’s because it’s something I’ve got so used to (I think I got that from my mum), that I don’t have to give so much thought to it. Before buying a dress for instance, I already have a clear picture of what look I’m trying to achieve, and so that serves as a guide which I strictly adhere to. That way, it becomes easier in deciding what shoes and accessories would work with it. So for me, except in rare cases, not so much energy is expended in looking good.

What do you like wearing most times?

I love my dresses any day. They are very convenient. Slip it on and off I go.

Would you rather wear native or English?

Because I work in the corporate world, I find myself wearing a lot of English outfits, so whenever I have the opportunity, I go native. But I’m totally comfortable in both. It’d all depend on how well the outfits fit.

Must it be designer label all through?

No it mustn’t. I love designer labels alright, but I’d choose a well-fitted non-designer item/outfit over the most beautiful, most expensive, most stylish, ill-fitted one. I’m clear on my position when it comes to that.

What is your fashion craze?

Shoes, shoes and shoes.

What do you love your hubby to wear?

T-Shirt and Pants (Chinos/Jeans). Because he is a banker, I’m so used to seeing him in suits. So suits or anything that looks like it, is a no for me after that Monday – Friday work.

Have you made fashion mistake?

Yes, even though I didn’t realise it was a mistake when I committed it. I wore very dangling earrings with a very long necklace. I’m always amused when I see pictures with my upper half looking like a musical instrument.

As a married woman, are there some restrictions concerning what you wear?

Not exactly! The same things I won’t wear now happen to be the same things I didn’t wear before marriage. I’ve always been modest, but with my special sense of style. But as per the length of my skirts, dresses etc. Some extra inches have been added.

And during the pageant, did you do the bikini segment

Aside humanitarianism which the pageant system seeks to promote, what further inspired me to contest was the fact that there was no bikini segment at both the national and international levels of the competition.

Now that you are a beauty queen, has it changed the way you relate with your friends and colleagues?

My company hosted me to a welcome party last week. Now, I am no longer Ebele. They have rechristened me. They now call me ‘Queen’. But I am still the same old me. It is just that I have a crown and a sash which I don’t wear to work.

How often do you hear that you don’t look married let alone having three kids?

I hear it every day. People are always amazed when they learn I have three kids. But what can I say? I can only but thank God.

Do you do any extra thing to keep in shape?

I am the only one in my family that has remained slim. I enrolled in a gym and I watch what I eat in terms of quantity. I eat everything but in small portions. If I eat anyhow, I would put on weight anyhow. It has nothing to do with my genes.

How do you handle the male admirers since you don’t look married?

The admirers are there, I will not lie. There are those that voice it out and those who don’t and those who convey the message using other means. I always tell my husband each time I get a ‘toaster’. If I find it difficult telling him then I have to tell myself something is happening. I don’t claim to have the magic key of waving them off when they come; I just put it in prayers and tell God to protect our marriage and home. I try to take myself away from a potential place that would lead to such.