Beauty is hardly merged with intelligence, confidence and creativity as is seen in Miss. Vivian Chiamaka Umeilechukwu, the reigning Miss. Integrity South East Cultural Queen Nigeria, who hails from Uga, in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
As a medical student and an aspiring achiever, Queen Vivian in this interview with CHINEDU HARDY NWADIKE bares her mind on issues that made her who she is and how she has made it through the huddles of pageantry, academics and being a normal girl.

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Excerpts:

The beginning
At a very tender age, I have always aspired to be great and to do something extraordinary that will inspire and encourage people to be better. At 18, I wanted to win something in the pageantry world and I was inspired by the less privileged girls who are sexually molested; those who do not enjoy the right to go to school. When I attended a programme with the theme ‘Instilling and harnessing good characters and morals in young girls’, I took it upon myself to be an ambassador and that was how it began.

Changes after winning
As a queen and a lady, it has really changed my life in so many ways. The way I talk, the way I walk and the way I address people. It has changed me physically and spiritually as well as the way I now see and relate to other people. I tend to care for people now like a mother chicken. It has really changed my life.

Preferential treatments as a queen
I am studying Medical Laboratory Science at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka and it hasn’t really been easy combining my studies and my position as a queen. As for the preferential treatments, I don’t think I need that, I just want them to treat me like Vivian and I’m even happy that my lecturers are not aware of my titles, so it makes life easy for me.

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What to achieve with my position
I hope to achieve great things and be a better person for my community, state and country. I hope to be a role model to young girls out there, serve selflessly and be a blessing to humanity.

Do people appreciate your position?
Not everyone does that but a good number of people do that. Aside the fact that I’m a queen, I’m also a lady and my behaviour makes people treat me like one which is good for me.

Beauty queens are wild
Before I contested for the first time, some of my male friends concluded that I was sleeping with the organizers and somehow I came to realize that everyone was regarding me as someone that was sleeping with men randomly. But thanks to the kind of parents I have, they really encouraged me; they saw me through it all and with God, I stood my ground that no matter what, even if it is for The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, I was never going to sleep with anyone.
Those addressing me as someone who sold her body for the crown are wrong, they don’t just understand me and that is it.

Present title
I am Miss. Integrity South East Cultural Queen and was crowned on 20th of March, 2015.

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Before you won
It was something I never thought was going to come through, because it was a very difficult thing for me. I was actually writing exams them and combining the two wasn’t easy at all and I only won by the grace of God.
I feel very happy with the outcome and I thank God for the grace and strength.

Did you deserve the crown?
Yes. Before I contested, I asked myself “What makes you think you can beat other contestants?” and I told myself that it’s not because I am beautiful, not because I am taller or because I am fair in complexion, but because of my confidence.
A chapter in the bible says that says that ‘whatever you ask with faith, you shall be granted’. So my confidence alone took me to greater heights and by God’s grace, I put out my best behaviours and in short, I did my best.

Who were you before the crown?
Before the crown, I was the reigning Miss Medical Laboratory Science in Unizik; I was also the Assistant Director of Socials in my school’s SUG [Students Union Government] and I was also the Recreational Service Director, Rochas Club and presently I am the vice president of my department.

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For someone not as exposed as you
It wouldn’t be easy, though it depends on the personality, if you’re an introvert or an extrovert. It will also depend on your charisma and confidence level.
If you’re an introvert, it would never be easy for you but an extrovert with a high confidence level; it will be easy since you’re going for what you want in a familiar terrain.

Handling men and their advances
It is natural because it is what I have to face every day as a beautiful lady. I don’t chase them away; I keep them on a normal level as my friends. I make them understand what I want and that they can’t make me go against my wish.

Sex for crown offers
Yes it has happened. I wanted to contest for a particular competition last year and the guy told me that to my face. I went back to him and told him that it won’t happen even if he was offering me everything in the world.
I can’t imagine doing it and I give credit to my father who has been a great source of inspiration, he has thought me everything I need to know and I love him for that.
                           
What if your family didn’t support you?
If they had not supported me, I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing today. I don’t think there would be any need for me to go against their wish because I am very sure that they will always support me.
If I go to my dad and explain to him that this is what I want, I know he will surely stand by me if he sees it is very good and will help me positively.
I always consult them before taking any action because they are part of me and I can’t do anything without them.

The next thing
I want to concentrate on my studies and come out with good grade. I am also a make-up artiste and I also want to get better in that area so as to have something else aside my certificate.
I want to create a situation where I could bring young girls together and teach them how to carry themselves. Help them stop men from treating them as filthy rags.
I will make them understand they have a life and a virtue to protect and that no one has the right to treat them anyhow or less than they deserved. That’s the next thing for me.

But ladies are architects of their woes
Ladies tend to get jealous of each other and it is normal because everyone believe that ladies can hardly coexist.
But being treated as rags, I meant when men treat them as rags. Some girls don’t know how to carry themselves and that’s what I am trying to instill in young girls. I want to let them know what they want and how they should be treated. When they know what they want and their value, there’s a way they should carry themselves. I want to also teach them how to treat people because I know that when you treat people right, you will get the same in response.

How to achieve this
I’m presently working it and I will be collaborating with some of my friends, beauty queens and family. My parents are in support of my in every angle and by the grace of God, I’ll be getting there in few months time. I don’t want make it public for now, and at the right time, I will say it.

Relationship status
I am Single

Shout out
I want to give a special shout out to my daddy, Sir Rufus Okechukwu Umeilechukwu. Daddy I love you so very much. I am where I am just because of you, may God bless you abundantly.
I also want to give a special shout out to my friends, course mates and sister as well as everyone who has supported me so far, God blesses you all.