Blessing Uchechukwu Eugene was recently crowned Miss Maritime 2020 and Miss Iconic Naija 2020 in a keenly contested competition in Lagos. The 18-year-old Anambra state-born model spoke with SULEIMAN IDRIS about her desire to advocate for equal opportunities for women in the maritime industry.
Congratulations! You stumbled on this competition on the internet and here you are crowned the winner?
Honestly, my joy knows no bounds. One of those evenings while I was on the verge to improve my knowledge on my career path via the internet, I stumbled upon this FACE OF MARITIME INTERNATIONAL season 5 advert on facebook and decided to enter for the competition.
What were you doing prior to this?
I was baking and modelling; I also train an all kids Choreography group in Unique Toes International.
How optimistic were you?
I am a very competitive person and never consider any challenge a walk over. So, I studied hard day and night and practised, always giving myself minimum rest or pleasure and always put up an optimistic mindset.
As the competition became intense and you saw fellow contestants evicted, were you jittery?
Fear factor is an inevitable occurrence. I saw many contestants I felt were more worthy of the crown, but the heat sent many home. Even till the final stage, I had that fear considering I was an underdog.
But now you are the winner, how do you feel?
I feel happy and very proud of myself and with a heart of gratitude to everyone who helped through this competition.
When you were announced as the winner, what was the emotion like?
First, it was fear, anxiety, and my heart throbbing to the deafening of my ears till my name echoed aloud in my ears. I lost all my comportment. The glee, joy, elation and screams and the tears… It’s like it’s just moments ago that it occurred.
What does this mean to you, your dreams and aspirations?
This, to me, is an awesome platform and a giant stepping stone to my dreams as I plan to contest for Miss Nigeria within the next two years and also enter the entertainment industry.
What does being Miss Maritime entail?
It connotes the Face of Maritime International. A platform which gives young girls and women the opportunity to foray in the maritime world and null the impression that maritime is ‘men’s world.’
How are you coping with the demands of being a queen?
It is really not easy as the saying goes ‘uneasy lies the head that wears the crown,’ but I promise to live far above expectations.
What will you like to achieve with your reign as Miss Maritime?
Firstly, I would like to open the door of maritime to young aspiring girls across the nation to explore this untapped treasure. Secondly, I want to orientate and give women in maritime a voice and a platform to achieve their dreams and rise to expectations in order to enact a change.
What’s your message to young ladies like you out there?
Remember, ease is an enemy to success. Do not let anyone tell you that you aren’t good enough. Work hard, pray always and keep your hopes and dreams alive and you will be crowned the queen you’ve always dreamed to be.
