HUNGER FOR DIVERSITY PROMPTED ME TO BE A PART OF MBGN – GABRIELLA NDU, FACE OF SELECTPRO 2011
Gabriella Ndu won the coveted crown of Face of Select Pro 2011 at the recently concluded Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Beauty Pageant. For her, it’s was the quest to explore new things that prompted her to enter into the beauty pageant; little did she know that will mark the beginning of a new status for her. In this interview with BOLA AKINBOADE, she opens up on her life as a beauty queen.
You are the new face of select pro 2011, how does it make you feel?
Wow… excited and happy are the perfect words to describe it. Can’t even believe I have a title. I’m really looking forward to the experience.
What has been happening to you since you were crowned?
Sadly, nothing quite interesting, because I had to leave immediately for school to round up my second semester exams. So it’s been all about books, books and more books.
Was it a big deal for people to adjust to your new status?
I’ m honestly not aware yet (laughs). Not really though, my life is still as regular and simple as before. There is a big difference between the Gabriella in black and white law garb and the Gabriella you may have seen on TV, so people still treat me normally.
What would you say the crown has changed about you?
A whole lot; I am a lot more confident and can hold my head up high anywhere in the world and it has really shown me that stepping out of your comfort zone is the real ticket to success in life. I just feel like I can achieve just about anything with God’s guidance.
What were you expecting to win during the competition?
It may come as a shocker but truly I had no expectations at all but I had it at the back of my mind that I didn’t want to be just a number in the race. I’m so glad I stood to be counted. But in camp when I saw the red Hyundai, my mind just started craving MBGN world or maybe Miss La Casera.
Take us back to how your foray into the modeling industry started?
I have a love affair with the camera. I’m crazy about pictures, so I always use to upload them on facebook and I used to get loads of good comments. Professionally, MBGN is my first real encounter with the Nigerian modeling industry.
What prompted you to enter the competition?
It was basically a hunger for diversity. I was just tired of staying in my comfort zone just decided to do something other than reading hefty law books for the rest of my life and experience something new. Another thing that prompted me was my childhood days of mimicking catwalks on fashion TV to being a part of fashion parade in kindergarten days; also family members calling me names like ‘Oluchi’, Agbani, etc. I saw MBGN as the perfect platform to be able to make an impact in the society and make my voice heard.
What do you think gave you an edge in the competition?
I did not have any strategy. I kept it real till the end because for me it was not a do or die experience. I was comfortable in my own skin. Also I never gave up even when I’ m not getting something right because I believed that practice equals perfection.
What was the experience in camp like?
It was fun and indeed a superb learning experience. I got to eat a lot of really nice foods and I met a lot of people with diverse backgrounds. It was an experience I would be willing to do over and over again.
Give us a brief peep into your background?
I am 19 years old, born on the 8th of November. My dad is Mr Gabriel Ndu, recently retired head of sales and corporate affairs at MB- ANAMMCO LTD, Enugu. My mum, Dr Pat Ndu is a public health consultant and an environmental studies scholar. I am the second out of four children, three girls and a boy. I grew up in a strong roman catholic
home in Enugu where my parents always encouraged us to live up to our full potentials and always aim for the highest and shun mediocrity. My primary school education was at the University of Nigeria primary school, Enugu campus. I also attended Federal government college Enugu ( F.G.C.E) and I am about to enter my fourth year as law student at the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus.
What is your future ambition?
In my field of study, I have interests in consumer protection law and advocacy though I’m more interested in the power and telecommunications sector. This ambition is influenced by my desire to see a Nigeria where Nigerians who pay their PHCN bills actually get full value for their money and though the efforts of the NCC are commendable, a Nigeria where subscribers are reimbursed for drop calls as done in developed countries. Apart from law, I would also like to do something in line with the treatment and management of children with hydrocephalic syndrome (water in the brain) and also help support families who have such children and also create awareness for its
prevention. This ambition was fired by the experience of the hairstylist that used to braid my hair back in high school that had such a child and was abandoned by her husband and because of her low income struggles with medical bills of the child etc. Such children
suffer and are often stigmatised and do not even live up to a certain age and its actually becoming quite rampant in Nigeria.
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You are a true daugther of your mother, who happens to be a great mentor and a capacity development model to me. Keep your vision high girl* Nice interview questions and beautiful answers**
#VickyDeborah Duruji#