This's me!“I'M SAD, I MISSED A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY WITH GOVERNOR ATTAH”
My name is Mikelyn Thaddeus Etim, I'm 20 years old, and I'm from Ekpene Ukim, in Uruan. I'm doing my final year as a student of linguistics, University of Uyo . Apart from being the current Miss Democracy, have you been involved in beauty pageant before? Yeah! I have, at the University level. I have been Miss Linguistics for the year 2005 in my university. Many persons out there may definitely not understand what Miss Democracy is all about, so can you tell what it is? Well, this happens to be the very first edition of the pageant, and it was put together by the Forum for Women in politics (in Nigeria ). It's just an attempt to enhance a woman's chances in politics through enlightenment. As part of my schedules, I should tour the local government areas in the state, talk to various women leaders and groups. It's a nationwide thing. To what extent is this pageant different from the other ones we know? To a great extent! Particularly, the organizers of Miss Democracy fought seriously against nudity, they inspected all our costumes to make sure they were okay. It was unacceptable for them that the contestants should wear just anything. What does it mean to be Miss Democracy? It has added more responsibility to me. It has made me realised that there are things I used to do that I shouldn't be doing any more. And I'm looking forward to the Miss Democracy national contest. Can you assess the level of democracy in Nigeria at 46? We are going somewhere! Honestly, there were times I thought the military would come back, because of instability in the system. As Miss Democracy, you may have had the opportunity of meeting and working with great minds, can you share some or any of those experience with us? I've met with Elder Joe Udobia, the Special Adviser to Governor Attah; Asa Ebieme, the ( Akwa Ibom State ) Commissioner for Tourism. One person that I was so excited meeting was Governor Attah himself. I used to think of the governor as a very high-handed person, until I met with him. So, what did you discuss with the governor? We didn't discuss much, he just asked about my welfare and how I was doing in school. Oh, he was just like a father, very down to earth!. Obviously, you were very excited. Did you take pictures with him? No, no, no . . . I didn't take pictures with him. The security people were all around him, so immediately after the meeting, they were doing their normal protocol thing! So, how did you feel about not seizing the moment to take pictures with your governor? I felt really bad. I wish I had my personal camera on me! What's your aspiration? To be a TV presenter When you meet people for the first time, are you suspicious of them? Yes I am, but I'll give room for you to show who you really are. At what age do you think a woman should marry and settle down? At least, 22 years! |
