In this encounter with Senior Correspondent, FANEN IHYONGO, the current Miss FCT, Bertha Eke, speaks about the challenges she encountered during the competition, over which she almost withdrew on the eve of the finale, and her philanthropic projects for children and the less-privileged.
SHE beguiled the gathering as she cat-walked confidently down into the undulating Garden near Blake, Garki II, Abuja, penultimate week. As the audience gazed, she sauntered more gorgeously, her snow-white eyes flashing at them. Her sparkly eye-shadows, pretty nails and well-designed dress were flattering. Who is this young lady? One man asked himself. It was Bertha Eke, the Queen of Abuja FCT 2014.
Bertha is such an elegant and fabulous lady. She has a down-to-earth beauty that makes any man quiver at first sight. She is not a skinny broom chic, either is she a fatty. She is just there, if you like, ‘between.’ Her uniquely pointed noise, as though created by herself, a fair-flaxen complexion, tall height and straight legs have given her that natural attractiveness and sexy gait. Above all, Bertha has a kind and caring heart. She wants to help and touch lives, which has become like a hobby.
At the Garden, this reporter had several hours picking the queen’s brain on her identity and works of charity. High point of the interaction was the promotion of the queen’s E2E brand and The Nation newspaper in front of cameras. The queen promised to partner The Nation as she spoke coolly about her pet projects, fielding questions and laughing off all along. Her passion was on children, particularly girls. “The suffering of the less-privileged people, particularly destitute children, the physically challenged, widows and the aged motivated me to do what I am doing. I try to empower them,” she said softly.
The Miss FCT beauty pageantry is not the type of contest in which alluring girls must rock in tiny bathing suits or bikinis to show off their mother-given curves. The contest is well cultured. And the queen said she sought the blessing of her parents before veering into the competition.
“My parents and siblings have been very supportive before and after the contest. They are always showing love for me. I wouldn’t have contested against their wish. My mother particularly is a wonderful woman; she is my backbone,” she said.
How did she get into the competition? “Honestly, I didn’t plan for it. And I got to know about the contest only a week before we were called for audition.” The contest, Bertha explained, was not just about showcasing beauty and winning a prize. “I never knew I was going to win. There were a lot of challenges and I actually wanted to quit on the eve of the finale.”
She said she became frustrated in the camp where she and 19 other contestants were kept. She became their common rival and they did everything possible to pull her down. “They almost succeeded, but I thank God, at the end of the day, I was able to scale through.”
Having won, Bertha revealed that the crown has not changed her person. She said: “Not much has changed in me; I only have more responsibilities now. This is different from most pageantry, because, apart from the fact that it is organised by the Fashion Studio of Nigeria, it has collaboration with the Abuja FCT administration, and it is designed to bring out the best in womanhood and tap into the inner strength that beauty confers.
“This is so because beauty transcends the physical. Beauty is not just an outward thing but the inner qualities of an individual. If we dwell more or only on the outward appearance, we would get it wrong.” She told The Nation that she became the Miss FCT not only because of her appearance, but more of her character which endeared the panel of judges.
“The contest wasn’t only about physical beauty. We were watched and assessed on the bases of character, personality, poise and intelligence. It is the sum total of this that is called beauty. And ladies should see their beauty as a gift from God and channel it to proper use. I never thought I could use mine (beauty) in the most positive way today.
“What many ladies need is self-confidence. Their beauty should be channelled to great uses in the area of empowering the society.” The queen believes that staying close to God enhances beauty. So she dedicates several hours every morning to fellowship.
After winning the Miss FCT Nigeria 2014 crown, its third edition, Bertha came up with an initiative known as “Empowered to Empower (E2E)”. The concept creates a means for her to empower the less-privileged and cater for them. She achieves this through advocacy campaigns, outreach programmes, seminars and skills acquisition training workshops etc which has given her the enviable sobriquet of the “True empowerment activist.”
The beautiful queen also advocates for “access to education by all,” as she also caters for the welfare of widows and the aged. She creates awareness on the consequences of the traditional practice of female genital mutilation, and fights against early child marriage to reduce cases of Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF). She also combats child labour/trafficking as she works to protect the young generation from HIV/AIDS infection through her sensitisation programmes.
“I will say I have achieved a lot because I have been able to increase the economic, political, social and educational potentials of the youth and the less-privileged persons, particularly the grassroots widows. I believe this is the best way to foster peace, unity, love and sense of belonging and contribute to nation building,” she said.
Some of her programmes are in form of quiz, debate, sports competitions and vocational/skills training. Participants are awarded and encouraged to achieve their full potentials. And for her love for Nigeria as her father land, Bertha promotes patriotism (national loyalty) and cultural values among the youth. She encourages the young ones to love, support and defend the country with pride, participate actively in elections as true advocates of free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.
As the Ebola virus disease continues to ravage many countries, the beautiful Queen of FCT has stepped up her philanthropic programmes to launch a vigorous sensitisation campaign in the rural communities to enlighten people about the deadly virus. She has distributed sanitation items such as buckets, antiseptic soaps, bleach, rakes, brooms, refuse sacks and packers to the rural folks for free.
Bertha is simply the queen with a difference. Despite her down-to-earth beauty and new office, she has remained humble and caring. She has a fine heart like her beauty.