Before emerging the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), Miss Anna Banner was an unknown teenager. Today, the world craves her attention. She speaks with Entertainment Editor VICTOR AKANDE.
WHAT is your educational status?
I am a student of the University of Port Harcourt. I’m studying linguistics and communication, and I’m in my first year.
What part of Bayelsa State are you from?
I’m from Sangbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
How much of your state did you know before the competition’s tours?
Before then, I had only been to Yenagoa. But MBGN took me around and I was glad that it happened, because it made me more aware of happenings in my state, things that I didn’t know before.
What is your family background like?
We are two, my older brother and I. My mum and dad are business people, and my brother is into Marine plumbing.
What was your parents’ reaction when you entered for the competition and after you emerged winner?
First of all, there were rumours about pageantry not being healthy for young girls. But despite that fact, I convinced them that it wasn’t going to be the same.
What gave you the conviction that pageantry could be healthy for a young girl?
I feel that almost all young girls would do anything to win a pageant; and that few will let things fall into place. And that I would not do any stupid thing just to get crowned, I will not sleep around either. But most people will go to any length. So, I feel it is healthy for me because I won’t do any of those stupid things.
What battles did you have to fight?
I didn’t have to fight any battle, because I discovered that there was nothing like that in the MBGN pageant. Some of the other girls were trying to get familiar with the guys around, but it wasn’t working for me because I felt that MBGN is a different type of competition. You don’t have to sleep with someone in order to win the crown; you just need to work hard.
Don’t you think your legs are too small for the shoes you’re wearing at the moment?
I don’t think so. Though, I don’t know much about this because I’m still young, but I’m willing to learn from people.
Who are your role models and influences?
My role model is Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia. She’s not into pageantry, but I love her so much because she’s very courageous, zealous, fearless, a Christian and not someone to let go of her dream because of some kind of instability. During the presidential elections in Liberia, she didn’t win via violence, she won peacefully. She motivates me a lot.
How much of political history do you follow or did you have to read up for the contest?
I’m not a politics person. I’m not into it at all, and I feel it’s really boring. But I think I should start watching the news and become informed about what is happening around me. For the pageant, I didn’t have to open any book; I just had to go online to look for questions that I should expect and other things; hairstyles, dresses, make-up and how to combine colours.
What was your beauty routine like before the pageant?
I’m not a make-up person. I prefer to go natural, the highest I could do is eye pencil, lip-gloss and a little bit of eye-shadow. I was not even a powder person before MBGN. I started getting used to all that shortly before the competition so my face could look good for the camera, and I had to buy the makeup and everything. When it comes to dressing, I’m very good, combination of colours and all.
How do you intend to convince the public that pageantry is decent, despite the bikini and ‘see through’ parades?
I’m not a bikini person, so it was somehow new. For instance, during the auditions when I was told that I would have to wear a bikini, I was like ‘what? Are you kidding?’ And they told me it was one of the requirements, so I said okay. Apart from the bikini, I don’t wear short things. I wear it only when I’m going for dance rehearsals. On a normal day, I love to cover my body, because the way you dress is the way you’ll be addressed. Dressing indecently will attract unwanted glances. You can combine different clothes and colours. As far as it’s decent, it differentiates you from the crowd.
Do you feel that bikinis are necessary in pageantries?
Yes, to some extent. They want us to show our flat stomachs and curves. It is okay for some pageants, not all, because some local pageants would like to exploit that.
What is your definition of beauty?
My definition of beauty has nothing to do with the physical look, but the inner person. A girl might be pretty facially, but inside, which talks about her attitude, personality and every other thing, she might be ugly. When the inside is really good; it covers whatever ugliness there might be, and brings out the beauty from within. When a person has a good attitude, relates well with people and humble, that’s what I call beauty.
What church do you attend?
I attend Winners City.
Did you ever believe that you would win?
I had some shaky confidence that I might win.
What lessons did you take away from your experience at the camp?
Punctuality, perseverance and humility are some of the things I learnt.
What are the packages associated with this crown?
Apart from the car and the cash prize, which amount I’m not certain of, I will also represent Nigeria in Miss World.
How do you hope to cope, especially with your studies?
I’m going to pause, because it’s easier now that I’m just starting. If I was already in my third year, that would have been a big hindrance. But for now, I can take a break and then go back as soon as everything is done. And I’m thinking of studying abroad, so I might just have to move everything over there.
What are your projects as MBGN?
My projects are on both formal and informal education, redefining the lives of youths in Nigeria. I’m not going to do this alone, as I will liaise with the runner-ups.
I want to make sure people understand that education is wealth and knowledge, and to also let them know that those who have proper qualifications are able to achieve better in life. I want to encourage people to quit violence and any other form of abuse. We are all humans with different talents, but it’s left for us to find it and then build it.
Why are you focusing on education?
I see education as one of the most important things in life. I remember the ups and downs I went through before paying my school fees at a time, until God sent a helper.
You look like an ‘ajebutter’, no one would have believed you ever had problem paying your fees.
People always say that. But it’s not always the way it looks, because you can’t judge a book by its cover. Most successful people struggled, even our president, Goodluck Jonathan. I’m sure that if someone had told him that he’ll be a great man and president of Nigeria, he might not have believed.
Do you already have an agenda of becoming a Miss World?
When I become Miss World, I can then start thinking of the problems of the world and not just Nigeria. Like in Africa, one of the problems most countries have is lack of good water, good education and even quality medication. I want to also open a modeling agency that’ll help girls of different sizes achieve their modeling dreams.
What are your hobbies?
My hobbies are writing, laughing and singing.
What is your favourite meal?
You might be expecting me to say spaghetti and all that. But my best food is actually pounded yam. But for now, I have to cut down on that because I don’t want to add too much weight.
What talents would you say you have?
I’m good at counseling. I’m also good at convincing people; and I can convince you that the red you see is not red. I’m good with business and I’m inspirational, because I get inspired by everything around me.
What does your boyfriend think about your new life?
I’m just eighteen, I don’t have a boyfriend. That’s not really my priority right now.
What’s the most stupid thing you’ve done?
I haven’t done anything stupid except when I drove my friend’s car and bashed it. Busybody made me do that because I didn’t know how to drive, the car was in reverse gear; and I didn’t know. The gateman had to jump into the garden, while the car hit the gate and the bumper came off.
If you could change or make something happen, what would it be?
What I want is to be closer to God than I am now. I want to be a better Christian than I am now.
When was the last time you had shed tears?
When I won.
What was your father’s reaction after you won?
I didn’t call him that day. But when I did, he just shouted, told me he was proud of me, and that he knew I was going to be the best.
(The Nation)
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